Wally Robinson, owner of Omak Aircraft Services at Omak Municipal Airport, received the Federal Aviation Administration’s Charles Taylor master mechanic award Nov. 1 in a surprise presentation attended by friends and family.
     Robinson worked as an aircraft mechanic for more than 50 years. He was recommended for the award by several FAA-certified aircraft mechanics in the central Okanogan Valley.
     Charles Taylor, a mechanic in the Wright brothers’ bicycle shop, designed, built, tested and maintained the first aircraft engine.
     Inspired by aviation’s first mechanic, many years ago the FAA created the Charles Taylor master mechanic award to honor men and women who have dedicated their lives to keeping airplanes safe, airworthy and flying.
     Until last weekend only 31 Washington aircraft mechanics have received the award. Robinson became the 32nd, according to an announcement about the award.
     Robinson started his mechanic career with the U.S. Marine Corps in 1956. He kept the corps’ helicopters in the air during tours of duty in Japan, the Republic of Vietnam and Haiti before leaving the service in 1967, according to the announcement.
     During his career he helped build early Boeing jet liners at Everett, worked on helicopters flying to offshore oil rigs off the Louisiana coast and kept spray planes flying in Okanogan County.
     He opened Omak Aircraft Services in its present location at Omak Municipal Airport in 1973.
     For 35 years his business has provided quality maintenance and overhaul services to two generations of aircraft owners, the announcement continued.
     He maintained aircraft in the central Okanogan Valley, Methow Valley and Ferry County.
     In the slow times when small planes couldn’t fly into Omak for repairs, he rebuilt or refurbished aircraft that he later sold to buyers throughout the United States.