James "Red" Leslie, Bill Earnest, Glenn Hobbs Receive FAA's Charles Taylor "Master Mechanic" Award

The FAA has presented its coveted Charles Taylor "Master Mechanic" Award to US Airways' Charlotte, NC - based line maintenance supervisor James "Red" Leslie,  Tampa, FL - based lead mechanic Bill Earnest, and San Diego, CA - based mechanic Glenn Hobbs for their 50 years of dedication in aviation maintenance.

The award recognizes the lifetime accomplishments of senior aviation mechanics and is named in honor of Charles Taylor, who served as the Wright Brothers' mechanic and is credited with designing and building the engine for their first successful flight. To be eligible for the award, a recipient must have served at least 50 years as an accredited aviation mechanic and have been an FAA-certified mechanic for a minimum of 30 years.

"Red, Bill, and Glenn have exhibited mastery and leadership in the field of aircraft maintenance," said David Seymour, US Airways' senior vice president, technical operations. "We are grateful for their service and proud to have them represent our outstanding team of 3,600 maintenance and engineering professionals."

Leslie received the award in Charlotte Wednesday. He began his aviation career with Piedmont Airlines in 1962 as a mechanic's assistant in Roanoke, Va. In 1998, he joined the Charlotte-based team where he works as a line maintenance supervisor at US Airways' largest hub.

Tampa-based Lead Mechanic Bill Earnest will accept the award on May 4. Earnest joined Mohawk Airlines in Utica, NY, as a mechanic in 1962.  In 1967, he transferred to Buffalo, NY, where he was promoted to line mechanic. Earnest's career brought him to US Airways' Tampa, FL, station in 1989, where he was promoted to his current role of lead mechanic.

San Diego-based Mechanic Glenn Hobbs will be presented his award on June 5. Hobbs began his aviation career in 1960 with the United States Air Force as a mechanic. Five years later, he was hired by PSA as an aircraft mechanic in San Diego. He was transferred to Los Angeles for a period of time and has since returned to San Diego where he serves as a line mechanic.

All three men's names will be added to the FAA's Roll of Honor, a leather-bound book on display at the entrance to the FAA Aircraft Maintenance Division at FAA Headquarters in Washington, D.C.

FNI: www.usairways.com. www.faa.gov