The Charles Taylor Award 
Charles Taylor Master Mechanic Award
The Charles Taylor Master Mechanic Award is named in honor of Mr. Charles Taylor, the first aviation mechanic in powered flight. The Charles Taylor "Master Mechanic" Award recognizes the lifetime accomplishments of senior mechanics. Mr. Taylor served as the Wright brothers' mechanic and is credited with designing and building the engine for their first successful aircraft.
Eligibility
To be eligible for the Charles Taylor Master Mechanic Award, nominees must meet the following criteria:
Hold a U.S. Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) or Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) mechanic or repairman certificate.
Have 50 or more years of civil and military maintenance experience.
Up to 20 years of the required 50 years may be U.S. military experience; or worked as an uncertified person in a U.S. aviation maintenance facility that maintained U.S. registered aircraft, either domestic or overseas; or worked as an uncertified person in the aircraft manufacturing industry in the United States, producing U.S. type-certificated or U.S. military aircraft.
The 50 years may be computed consecutively or non-consecutively.
Be a U.S. citizen.
Have NOT had any airman certificate revoked. Revocation of any airman certificate will disqualify a nominee for this award.
Presented to Mr. John Sjaardema
In a presentation ceremony July 6 2023 by FAA Inspector Mr. Dwayne Hudson from the Greater Chicago Flight Standards District Office (Dupage FSDO) John received the Master Mechanics Award, one of only two awards that can be had from the FAA, the other being the Master Pilot Award.
Dwayne Hudson
The spouse of the Master Mechanic also receives a lapel pin to reward her 50 years of support through thick and thin. Cheryl Sjaardema did it!
And there was CAKE!
In conjunction with the FAA Award John also received another prize from the American Yankee Association recognizing his many contributions over the years. Supposed to have been presented during the pandemic it finally arrived, better late than never.