Beaufort resident and County employee Gary Davy will be presented the Federal Aviation Administration Charles Taylor Award in a brief ceremony Thursday, November 18 at 10 a.m., in the Beaufort County Executive Airport Conference Room. Mr. Davy is the chief mechanic who services the helicopter and airplane for Beaufort County Mosquito Control.

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.

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 FAA mechanic or repairman certificate
•  Have 50 or more years of civil and military maintenance experience
•  Be a U.S. citizen
•  Have NOT had any airman certificate revoked. Revocation of any airman certificate will disqualify a nominee for this award
•  Receive three letters of recommendation from other senior mechanics