In the U.S. the FAA bestows its Charles Taylor “Master Mechanic” award on people who have spent more than 50 years in the aircraft maintenance profession. Canada doesn’t seem to offer the same level of recognition for such achievements, but if it did, the name of Leslie Pingel would be high on the list. Pingel, 89, has spent 64 years in aircraft maintenance positions and is still working for Tag Aeronautics as director of technical support. “He’s tireless, and he will stay on any project or projects and work them to completion seven days a week,” said Jeff Weber, president of Tag Aviation Services, the remaining piece of Tag North America. “A man of his energy I don’t see often at any age, much less his.”
Pingel began his career during World War II as an apprentice tool maker with Canadian Car and Foundry, which was then producing military aircraft under license. He lasted there for one year before joining the Royal Canadian Air Force, where he eventually became an aeronautical engineering officer and was awarded the British Empire Medal for meritorious military service after he set up an aircraft maintenance training program.
