Richard Thrasher Honored For Lifetime Of Accomplishment

Richard Thrasher, a senior airworthiness inspector with Gulfstream Aerospace, recently received the Charles Taylor Master Mechanic Award from the Federal Aviation Administration. Thrasher is the first Gulfstream employee to receive the award, which recognizes the lifetime accomplishments of senior mechanics.

Thrasher has been a senior airworthiness inspector at Gulfstream since February 2000. He began his aviation career in 1956 as a jet mechanic with the U.S. Marine Corps. Following his retirement from the Marines, Thrasher worked for Gulfstream as a mechanic, crew chief and assistant foreman. He then worked for Raytheon as a mechanic, maintenance chief and senior flight engineer. Before returning to Gulfstream in 2000, Thrasher was a self-employed aircraft consultant.

"Richard Thrasher is a credit to the industry and to Gulfstream Product Support," said Mark Burns, president of Gulfstream Product Support. "We value the contributions he has made not only to aviation maintenance but to the younger generations of mechanics he has mentored over his extensive career. He's a true role model for the team here at Gulfstream."

To commemorate the award, Thrasher received a lapel pin and certificate from Michael J. Mullaney, the Atlanta-based FAA Safety Team (FAAST) representative, during a ceremony at the new Gulfstream Service Center. Thrasher's name has also been added to the "Roll of Honor" maintained at FAA headquarters in Washington, DC. Thrasher's wife, Marilyn, was also honored during the ceremony.

To be eligible for the Taylor Award, a mechanic must have 50 years of experience as an accredited mechanic, and 30 years as an FAA-certificated mechanic. The award is named after Charles Taylor, the first aviation mechanic in powered flight. Taylor served as the Wright brothers' mechanic, and is credited with designing and building the engine on their first successful aircraft.

FMI: www.gulfstream.com, www.gd.com