THOMAS ‘TJ’ HALL

Sept. 24. The Federal Aviation Administration today presented Thomas “TJ” Hall, Air Methods Airbase lead mechanic for Atrium Health’s MedCenter Air in Charlotte, with the Charles Taylor Master Mechanic Award.

The Vietnam War veteran received the award at Atrium Health’s MedCenter Air hangar at Charlotte Douglas International Airport Sept. 24.

The award is only given to people with 50 years of service in the field of aviation mechanics.

The honor recognizes the lifetime accomplishments of senior mechanics and is named for Charles Taylor, the Wright brothers’ mechanic. He is credited with designing and building the engine for their first successful aircraft.

Hall began his career as an enlisted helicopter mechanic and crew chief in the Marine Corps during the Vietnam War. After 12 years and multiple overseas deployments with the Marines, he entered the civilian world of helicopter maintenance. He obtained his Airframe and Powerplant license and went to work for Burnside-Ott as a contractor at Naval Air Station Whiting Field in Santa Rosa County, Florida. From there, Hall was hired by ERA Helicopters and worked in Louisiana in the petroleum industry. He then transitioned to the air ambulance industry in 1992 when he joined Air Methods, and he has remained with the company since.

March of 2019 marked his 50th year in helicopter maintenance.

During his career with Air Methods, Hall has worked as lead mechanic at three bases. He also served as program aviation
manager for MedCenter Air in Charlotte, and as Air Methods southeastern regional area maintenance manager. After nearly 10 years in the management world, Hall decided to return to his passion and took on the role of traveling relief mechanic.

He then returned to Charlotte to assume his current position as lead mechanic for Atrium Health’s MedCenter Air.