Recently at the Great Lakes International Aviation Conference held at Eastern Michigan University in Ypsilanti, Michigan, the Federal Aviations Administration Flight Standards District Office of Michigan awarded Robert Schallip Jr. “2010 Aviation Maintenance Technician of the Year Award” for the entire Great Lakes Region. The award is presented each year to someone who not only displays diligence in actual maintenance of aircraft but pursues additional training and is willing to work with pilots and aircraft owners to enhance their safety by helping them better understand their aircraft and it’s maintenance.
Bob began working on aircraft in Pueblo, Colorado in 1973, then for many years in Hamilton, Ohio before moving to Neebish Island in 1991. In 2004 he passed an additional FAA test that awarded him an “Inspection Authorization” which allows him to perform the required Annual Inspections as well as approve certain modifications and repairs. He now is the maintenance technician at Soo Air Inc. located at the Sault Ste. Marie, Sanderson Airport where he maintains about a dozen aircraft. Bob received his pilot’s license in 1975, owns a 1958 Cessna 180 aircraft and flies it regularly. He is also a member of the Soo Pilots Association.
