With his wife Martha by his side, recently retired Duncan Aviation Avionics Component Tech Rep, Curt Campbell, accepted the prestigious Charles Taylor Master Mechanic Award. Click

LINCOLN, NEB. — During a reception on March 11th at Duncan Aviation in Lincoln, Nebraska, Curt Campbell, who recently retired as an Avionics Component Tech Rep and is a familiar name to just about anyone who’s ever had an autopilot question, was honored as a recipient of the prestigious Charles Taylor Master Mechanic Award.

Named after Charles Taylor, the mechanic behind the Wright brothers’ first successful aircraft engine, this award represents the gold standard in aviation maintenance. It recognizes more than longevity; it reflects a lifetime of skill, integrity, and showing up day after day for over 50 years without a single certification revocation. Simply put, it’s not just earned. It’s lived.

Campbell, with his wife Martha by his side, was presented the award by the FAA FAASTeam Program Manager, Mark Gaffney, at the reception at Duncan Aviation. It was attended by company leadership, colleagues, and a small group of invited guests. He also holds the distinction of being the first Avionics Repairman from Duncan Aviation to receive this honor.

For over 50 years, Campbell didn’t just work in aviation; he helped shape it. Known throughout the industry as the go-to for autopilot expertise, he built a reputation not only for what he knew, but also for how he showed up: listening first, solving second, and never walking away from a problem until it was fully understood and fully resolved. Campbell’s remarkable five-decade journey with Duncan Aviation is a legacy defined by technical excellence, unwavering dedication, and an enduring commitment to outstanding customer service.

Duncan Aviation’s Charles Taylor Master Mechanics Award Recipients:

Any company with one technician who earns the Federal Aviation Administration’s coveted Charles Taylor Master Mechanic Award is outstanding, but when a company can recognize this legacy with multiple recipients, it just says a little bit more.

Lincoln, Nebraska (LNK)

  • Bernard Michael (2016)
  • Joe Huffman Sr. (2016)
  • Bob Tooker (2018)
  • Leo Sawatzki (2019)
  • Ron Grose (2024)
  • Tim Garity (2024)
  • Curt Campbell (2026)

Battle Creek, Michigan (BTL)

  • Howard Schroeder (2006)
  • Gary Dunn (2025)

About Duncan Aviation

Duncan Aviation is an aircraft service provider supporting the aviation needs of business aircraft operators, government agencies, and other aircraft service providers. Services include major and minor airframe inspections, engine maintenance, major retrofits for cabin and cockpit avionics systems, full paint and interior services, engineering and certification services, fabrication and manufacturing services, and preowned aircraft sales and acquisitions. Duncan Aviation also has international aircraft components solutions experts available 24/7/365 at +1 402.475.4125 who can handle any aircraft system problem with immediate exchanges, rotables, loaners or avionics/instrument/accessory repairs and overhauls. Complete service facilities are located in Battle Creek, Michigan; Lincoln, Nebraska; and Provo, Utah. We also have dozens of other facilities strategically located throughout the United States to provide customers with scheduled regional support and the quickest response possible to avionics, engine and airframe Aircraft On Ground (AOG) situations.

For more information about any of Duncan Aviation’s services, call +1 402.475.2611 or visit https://DuncanAviation.aero/services