US Airways Mechanics Recognized for Excellence in Aviation Maintenance

TEMPE, Ariz., April 18, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- US Airways (NYSE: LCC) is pleased to announce that Charlotte, N.C.-based line maintenance supervisor James "Red" Leslie,  Tampa, Fla.-based lead mechanic Bill Earnest and San Diego, Calif.-based mechanic Glenn Hobbs will receive the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) coveted Charles Taylor "Master Mechanic" Award for their 50 years of dedication in aviation maintenance.

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The award recognizes the lifetime accomplishments of senior aviation mechanics and is named in honor of Charles Taylor, who served as the Wright Brothers' mechanic and is credited with designing and building the engine for their first successful flight. To be eligible for the award, a recipient must have served at least 50 years as an accredited aviation mechanic and have been an FAA-certified mechanic for a minimum of 30 years.

"Red, Bill, and Glenn have exhibited mastery and leadership in the field of aircraft maintenance," said David Seymour, US Airways' senior vice president, technical operations. "We are grateful for their service and proud to have them represent our outstanding team of 3,600 maintenance and engineering professionals."

Today, Leslie will receive the award in Charlotte. Leslie began his aviation career with Piedmont Airlines in 1962 as a mechanic's assistant in Roanoke, Va. In 1998, he joined the Charlotte-based team where he works as a line maintenance supervisor at US Airways' largest hub.

Tampa-based Lead Mechanic Bill Earnest will accept the award on May 4. Earnest joined Mohawk Airlines in Utica, N.Y. as a mechanic in 1962.  In 1967, he transferred to Buffalo, N.Y. where he was promoted to line mechanic. Earnest's career brought him to US Airways' Tampa, Fla. station in 1989, where he was promoted to his current role of lead mechanic.

San Diego-based Mechanic Glenn Hobbs will be presented his award on June 5. Hobbs began his aviation career in 1960 with the United States Air Force as a mechanic. Five years later, he was hired by PSA as an aircraft mechanic in San Diego. He was transferred to Los Angeles for a period of time and has since returned to San Diego where he serves as a line mechanic.

All three men's names will be added to the FAA's Roll of Honor, a leather-bound book on display at the entrance to the FAA Aircraft Maintenance Division at FAA Headquarters in Washington, D.C.

About US Airways

US Airways, along with US Airways Shuttle and US Airways Express, operates more than 3,000 flights per day and serves more than 200 communities in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Europe, the Middle East, the Caribbean, Central and South America. The airline employs more than 32,000 aviation professionals worldwide and is a member of the Star Alliance network, which offers its customers more than 21,000 daily flights to 1,290 airports in 189 countries. Together with its US Airways Express partners, the airline serves approximately 80 million passengers each year and operates hubs in Charlotte, N.C., Philadelphia and Phoenix, and a focus city in Washington, D.C. at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. Aviation Week and Overhaul & Maintenance magazine presented US Airways with the 2012 Aviation Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) of the Year Award for demonstrating outstanding achievement and innovation in the area of technical operations. US Airways was the only airline included as one of the 50 best companies to work for in the U.S. by LATINA Style magazine's 50 Report for 2010 and 2011. For six years in a row, the airline also earned a 100 percent rating on the Human Rights Campaign Corporate Equality index. The Corporate Equality index is a leading indicator of companies' attitudes and policies toward lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender employees and customers. US Airways also ranked #1 among its competing hub-and-spoke network carriers for 2010 performance as rated by the Wichita State University/Purdue University Airline Quality Rating (AQR). For more company information visit usairways.com, follow on Twitter @USAirways or at Facebook.com/USAirways. (LCCG)

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SOURCE US Airways