BRIGHAM CITY – Bill Bridges, founder of The Flight Shop in Brigham City, is still turning wrenches and working on airplanes at 82 years old. In fact, in September 2025, he was given the Charles Taylor Mechanic Award from the Federal Aviation Administration for 50 years of servicing and repairing airplanes.
The FFA said The Charles Taylor Master Mechanic Award was named in honor of Mr. Charles Taylor, the first aviation mechanic who built the motor for the Wright brothers’ first powered flight.
“I was surprised they kept the award a secret until they gave it to me,” Bridges said. “I told them I was getting ready to leave and they told me to stick around. They started setting up tables and invited some of my friends. Then they gave me the plaque.”
The award is prominently displayed in the office.
“People think you have to work for the airlines to make a living as an airplane mechanic,” he said. “We’ve made a pretty good living working on airplanes right here.”
They had the first license he received in 1968 up until his last one.
“They had all my licenses compiled,” Bridges said. “I am one of 3,500 other aviation mechanics across the country to have this award.”
The Charles Taylor Master Mechanic Award recognizes the lifetime accomplishments of senior mechanics.
“It’s a huge deal,” said his daughter Liz Hansen, who works at The Flight Shop, her father’s airplane maintenance and repair business. “In 1968 he got his first license for airframe, and powerplant repair for airplanes and he has received one every year since then.”
The family moved from California to Brigham City 48 years ago and set up the shop at the airport.
“He took care of Jake Hall’s airplane, and he convinced my father to come to Brigham City,” she said. “Jake Hall was the founder of Flying J Oil. Other clients in Utah also helped persuade him to come here. Today, our clients come from as far away as Mexico, Canada and everywhere in between.”
“Even in his 80’s Bill plays an active role in the company. He is still building and repairing airplanes,” Hansen said. “He does what he can at 82. We just received an overhauled engine, and he is putting accessories on it so it can be installed on the aircraft.”
Liz said the business has done well over the years and there are certainly its ups and downs.
“Fixing airplanes is not a career choice at the top of everyone’s list,” she said. “It is a unique industry. There is always going to be a need for airplanes to be fixed and maintained, and if you are good at it and have a good reputation it brings people from all over the world. We are booked up several months in advance because of the lack of facilities.”
The business is located at 1780 N. 2000 W. Hangar #21, a 24,000 square foot building with climate-control, and environmentally safe conditions. They have eight employees, including a grandson making it a third generation of airplane mechanics.
“We specialize in the (Piper) Aerostar, and the reason people come from all over the country to us is because of Bill’s knowledge of the airplanes we work on. Most of what we work on are twin and single engine turbo props.”
Dollie, Bill’s wife, has worked at the business the whole time. She keeps the books and generally makes sure everyone is doing what they are supposed to be doing.
“Craig Hulse started working with Bill out of high school and became a successful mechanic,” Liz said. “He is now taking most of the mechanical duties.”
As a family-built and privately owned business that prioritize large-scale capabilities with small-shop attention, their technicians are IA and A&P certified and are experienced enough to handle most critical service needs and still care about every detail.