In Memoriam: William F. O’Brien

By Matt Thurber

AINmxReports >> November 2008
People

The aviation maintenance industry lost a key friend on Sunday, November 9, when retired FAA national resource specialist Bill O’Brien passed away. O’Brien was a familiar and much appreciated presence at inspection authorization renewal seminars, gently but firmly and often humorously admonishing mechanics not to cut regulatory corners and afterwards always taking time to answer detailed questions that often turned into confessions and promises to do better. At IA seminars and in airline and general aviation maintenance shops, O’Brien would be animated when discussing the program he helped create at Eastern New Mexico University to help A&P mechanics obtain their associate’s degree or when introducing another deserving recipient of the Charles E. Taylor Master Mechanic Award or handing out FAA maintenance technician training awards. Since 1990 and until recently, O’Brien wrote a column for Aircraft Maintenance Technology magazine, helping thousands of mechanics understand and apply the regulations that govern their careers. “He has been an incredible mentor to so many over his long and distinguished career at the FAA,” said Jeremy Cox, vice president, JetBrokers.

Back

Illinois Congressman To Head DOT Thursday 01. of January 2009 Retiring congressman Ray LaHood (R-Ill.), who presided over the impeachment of President Clinton, was nominated December 19 as the new secretary... [more]
Wouters Tapped To Lead Cirrus Design Thursday 01. of January 2009 Duluth, Minn.-based Cirrus Design announced late last month that president and COO Brent Wouters will take over the CEO role from company... [more]
EADS Appoints Sales Reps Down Under Thursday 01. of January 2009 EADS Socata last month appointed Executive Airlines the long-term area sales representative for the TBM 850 turboprop single in Australia and... [more]
GE Installs President in Czech Subsidiary Thursday 01. of January 2009 Paul Theofan, a veteran of more than 20 years at Unison Industries, has been named president and managing executive of General Electric... [more]
Former CBAA executive to join Nav Canada board Thursday 01. of January 2009 Rich Gage, who relinquished his position as president and CEO at CBAA in October, will become a member of Nav Canada’s board of directors in... [more]