LAKEPORT – When you look up into the crisp Lake County skies, chances are that if you spot a plane, it has passed the inspection of local aircraft mechanic and pilot Tom Wasson of Lakeport.
A pilot and mechanic for over 50 years, Wasson has been making trails in places other than the sky. Aviation history will write a page dedicated to Wasson as likely the first to ever receive both awards at the same time that the Federal Aviation Administration deems their most prestigious for Aircraft Mechanic Technicians and Master Pilots.
The Charles E. Taylor Master Mechanic award and the Wright Brothers Master Pilot award were presented to Wasson by FAA representative Richard Dilbeck of Sacramento on June 23 in front of an audience of 300 guests and family members who filled Wasson”s hanger at Lampson Airport in Lakeport. Wasson was awarded a total of 10 proclamations, certificates, plaques and pins during a ceremony that included guest speakers and musical performances.
Dilbeck said in order to receive the Wright Brothers award, 50 years of experience as a certified pilot is required, as well as 50 years as a certified mechanic in order to receive the Charles Taylor award. “As far as I know Tom is the only one to receive both at once,” said Dilbeck, adding that it is difficult to determine because records of exact award dates have not been kept for the Taylor award, which started in 1993. “He is definitely the first in the Western Pacific region. Tom is pioneering a unique situation because he got his pilots license at the same time he got his mechanic certification, which is rare. Most of the folks are also in their 70”s or older, which makes Tom an exception because he is a decade younger,” said Dilbeck, a long-time friend of Wasson”s.
The awards can be given at any time throughout the year and can even be awarded posthumously. “You can nominate yourself or fellow mechanics, pilots, or family members can nominate-there just have to be three total nominations. In Tom”s case there were three pilots and three mechanics,” said Dilbeck.
Dilbeck said he and Wasson became friends over the phone and through business. “They sometimes periodically call me for legal questions, I got to know him through safety presentations over the years and I also have legal oversight over Tom”s Aircraft, but even if I didn”t I still am a friend, it just made it really special to give him the award. He is the greatest guy, everyone there spoke highly of him,” said Dilbeck.
During a recent interview with Wasson, he recalled the years he has spent as an aviator and mechanic.
Wasson began his training as a mechanic and pilot straight out of high school, and purchased his first plane in 1957 – an Aeronca. “It was cheap, it cost $600, and I finished up flying lessons in the Aeronca the plane I would buy today if I had the money would be an 836 Bonanza,” said Wasson, who said that during his career he has worked at various airports and operations in San Rafael, Sonoma County, and Salinas before moving to Lake County in 1977 to work for Lampson Airfield.
Wasson and his wife Tina started Tom”s Aircraft Enterprises in 1987, and the business has grown from three to eight employees over the 20 years, culling a strong business base locally and in neighboring counties.
“When I got the awards, I couldn”t realize that 50 years had gone by. It really went by like a flash. It was wonderful, especially because most of the family was there, Cindy (Wasson”s eldest daughter) was the MC, all my brothers and sisters and my grandchildren and great grandson were all there, and that meant as much to me as the awards,” said Wasson.
Wasson works on general aviation aircraft less than 1,250 pounds. “I work on many different models from Cubs up through 420 Cessnas,” he said. With two certifications including mechanic and private pilot, Wasson is also sea plane rated for single and multi-engine land and sea planes. He has received numerous certificates and prior awards to the Taylor and Wright Brother”s awards, and received recognition for the latter from the California Senators, California Assembly members, Lake County Supervisors, and Lakeport Mayor.
At the celebration, a 60 inch-long cake made by family friend Cheryl Albert replicated the Lampson runway. Other decorations included fabric murals depicting airplanes soaring in the sky covering the inside walls of the hanger.
Photo albums displaying photographs of Tom throughout the years were stacked on tables for guests to peruse. The most ideal decoration for the occasion didn”t require any effort: an entire plane hanging from the ceiling. “Yeah, that”s a permanent decoration,” joked Wasson”s daughter Cindy Car.
She recalled her husband”s love for risk-taking: “There was one time when he landed his plane on Fulton Road in Santa Rosa,” she said, during the days when less traffic could allow a brave pilot to land on the roadway and flying was “more fun and relaxed.”
“Tom ran over to grab a beer at the market on Fulton before taking off again using the road as a runway,” said Tina with a grin, “But we should probably say it was water,” she laughed.
Wasson says he appreciates the character of older planes, and the average age of planes he works on is 26 to 35 years old. “They are less complicated and a lot less fancy than the new planes… They can last a long time, which is why the majority I work on are about 1975 [models].”
Wasson says he was “overwhelmed” by the ceremony and appreciates all who made it happen. “I may not be rich in monetary value, but I am certainly rich in friends,” said Wasson at the ceremony, “I am not sure how much longer my career in aviation will last, but it sure has been fun!”
