Mechanic award presented at airport

The Federal Aviation Administration presented Dickey Robertson with the Charles Taylor Master Mechanic Award at the Pine Bluff Regional Airport/Grider Field on June 21.

The award honors senior mechanics for their lifetime accomplishments. Robertson was recognized for 50 years of incident-free aircraft avionics maintenance and repairs.

The 70-plus-year-old has worked for Tomlinson Avionics at Grider Field for the past 51 years. Robertson’s work with Tomlinson Avionics is concerned with aircraft communications and navigation equipment. His expertise comes from on-the-job training as well as on-going avionics manufacturer’s advanced education.

The award was officially presented to Robertson by Jamie Black from the FAA U.S. Flight Standards District Office of Little Rock.

Twenty-five friends, family and airport employees were in attendance to celebrate the honoree’s accomplishment.

“It was really a surprise,” Robertson said. “I didn’t know anything was going on until I walked in the room.”

That same day was also the 50th anniversary for Robertson and his wife, Connie, he said.

“Our daughter, Christy, (came) down from Jonesboro. Tommy Tomlinson, who started Tomlinson Avionics in 1972 and his brother, Carey, who owns the company now, were both there,” he said.

The conference room was full of well-wishers. He recalled his beginning in the business.

Butch Miller and Robertson had their own avionics shop in Raymond, Miss., half a century ago before Robertson came to work for Tomlinson.

“I’ve been in Pine Bluff all my life,” Robertson said.

Even when he was working in Raymond, he commuted to work from his home in Arkansas.

“I’ve had my pilot’s license since March 13, 1973. We service and install equipment in aircraft from all the surrounding states. When owners wanted to leave their aircraft with us, I’d ferry them back home in our company plane,” he said.

Tomlinson Avionics occupies the large World War II military building north of the terminal and the northern most hangar lining the west side of the runway.

During the ceremony, a proclamation from Pine Bluff Mayor Shirley Washington was read declaring June 21 as “Dickey Robertson Day” in the city.

“The FAA’s Charles Taylor Award takes its name from the gentleman who was literally the first aircraft mechanic,” said Grider Field Director Doug Hale. “He made many of the metal parts used on the Wright brother’s Wright Flier. He also made the first aircraft engine for that historic aircraft to achieve first powered flight.”

Hale applauded Robertson.

“He has an impeccable record of installing and troubleshooting aircraft avionics onboard aircraft,” Hale said.