Local Pilot Achieves a Major Milestone
On Monday, August 28, a group of about 45 aviators, current and retired airline captains, helicopter pilots, air race pilots, commercial and private pilots gathered to honor one of their own. Thomas (Matt) Jackson, of Tyler was the guest of honor to receive both the Wright Brothers award and the Charles Taylor award for his 50 years of dedication to aviation safety in his capacity as both a pilot and aircraft mechanic. (side note, Charles Taylor was the mechanic for the Wright Brothers and the innovator responsible for the first successful aircraft engine) Each is a highly coveted award among pilots and mechanics however, it is extremely rare for an individual to earn both.
In his years as a consummate professional in aviation in a career that began as a young boy at age 14, Matt, now 67, had his humble beginnings flying out of Van Nuys
Airport in Los Angeles, Calif. Rapidly rising through the various FAA ratings required of both pilots and mechanics, He worked for his father as a field mechanic and pilot, delivering aircraft engines all over the country in the company’s single and twin engine aircraft. He started his own aircraft maintenance business in 1978 which continues to this day. His skill as an aircraft mechanic opened many doors which included flying and maintaining vintage World War II aircraft. Individual FAA Letters of Authorization allowed him to operate various high performance single and multi engine aircraft, including the P51, Sea Fury, Bearcat, B25, A26, B24, T33, F86, Mig 15, 17, among others. That process soon became so cumbersome for the FAA, they ultimately issued Matt an Unlimited Letter of Authorization, allowing him to operate ALL single and multi engine high performance piston-driven aircraft. This is particularly significant because the FAA has issued only 12 such approvals in its history, mostly reserved for pilots of exemplary skill such as Bob Hoover, Darryl Greenamyer and Tony LaVier. In the eyes of the FAA and those of his peers, Matt stands shoulder-to-shoulder among these aviation giants.
Matt modified. maintained and raced unlimited aircraft for 24 years in the National Championship Air Races in Reno, Nevada and, but for his skill and proficiency, narrowly escaped death in several in-flight emergencies. At Dallas Executive Airport, he served as the National Maintenance Director for the Confederate (now politically correct Commemorative) Air Force and continues to assist the organization as a consultant and maintenance test pilot.
Now living in Tyler, Texas, Matt brought aviation-level maintenance quality and efficiency to the trucking industry serving as Maintenance Director for Custom Transport in Gilmer. Innovations implemented by Matt have streamlined Custom Transport’s operations and trucking companies around the country are taking notice.
Matt also volunteers his time to the Mid America Museum in Mt. Pleasant as a maintenance consultant and test pilot for their 78 aircraft and 6 helicopters. He recently made the transition from flying fixed wing aircraft to helicopters and is enjoying this new aviation challenge and the capability unique to helicopters.
As the patriarch of a family of eight children, each having their own individual success stories, Matt Jackson and his wife Cheryl have recently made Tyler their home and are adjusting to the concept of becoming empty nesters and beginning the next chapter of their lives.