Guidance Aviation Director of Maintenance, US Army Veteran, Jason Kidd, Awarded Maintenance Technician of the Year for the State of Arizona, 2014, Moves on to National FAA Awards Competition
Mr. Jason Kidd, Director of Maintenance, Guidance Aviation of Prescott, Arizona and Baton Rouge, Louisiana, was awarded the FAA’s Maintenance Technician of the Year, 2014, for the State of Arizona. As a State winner, Kidd moves on to the national FAA awards which take place every year during EAA Airventure Oshkosh.
Kidd, a U.S. Military Veteran, began his aviation career in the Army as a Chinook (CH-47D) Flight Engineer and Mechanic, serving six years (1991-1997), while stationed in Fort Bragg, NC and Camp Humphreys, South Korea. During his 850 hours of flight time in the US Army, Mr. Kidd was the Unit Trainer for Night Vision Goggles (NVG) where he accrued over 250 hours of NVG time including 90 hours of Hazardous Duty Night flight time.
As Maintenance Director for one of the busiest helicopter fleets in general aviation, Kidd is responsible for managing the airworthiness of 24 aircraft collectively flying approximately 16,000 flight hours annually. He is responsible for developing a unique tracking system which assists his team in managing the maintenance and tracking the fleet’s airworthiness.
In addition to managing a maintenance shop which performs scheduled maintenance on a fleet of 18 helicopters, Mr. Kidd runs a complete Robinson aircraft overhaul shop. On average, the overhaul shop completes 3 to 4 (complete) overhauls in a year. Kidd also serves as 14 CFR Part 135 Director of Maintenance for Unlimited Aviation in Page, Arizona.
Kidd graduated from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in 2000 with a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Professional Aeronautics with minors in Airline Management and Aeronautical Science. He holds Airframe and Powerplant certificates and Inspector Airframe, FCC certificate, Commercial Pilot rating with 2500 hours total time including approximately 500 turbine hours. Mr. Kidd is a factory-trained technician for the Pratt and Whitney PT-6 turbine and the Robinson R22, R44 & R66 aircraft.
Jason Kidd was instrumental in creating an air operations program with the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office. “RESCUE-1” is a Robinson R-44 that was donated by Guidance Aviation to the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office. Jason worked very closely with the Yavapai County Sheriff, Scott Mascher, and Captain Jeff Newnum to develop this program. According to Captain Newnum, “More than fourteen (14) human lives have been saved to date, with the use of this valuable aviation resource”.
In order to be nominated and considered by the Federal Aviation Administration, candidates for the Maintenance Technician of the Year Award must “have been actively working within their respective aviation fields for a minimum of five (5) years prior to application / nomination. Candidates must also hold valid FAA airman certificates appropriate to their respective fields if required. In addition: A) Aviation Maintenance Technician candidates must be actively working within the United States under FAR Part 65.”
The General Aviation Awards Program is a cooperative effort between the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and aviation industry sponsors to recognize annually outstanding individuals in the fields of Avionics, Flight Instruction, and Maintenance. In addition, the program recognizes outstanding individuals serving the FAA Safety Team (FAASTeam) as representatives. The awards highlight the important roles these individuals play in promoting aviation safety, education, and professionalism. Winners will be recognized locally, regionally and nationally. National winners will be recognized during AirVenture-Oshkosh each July.
Congratulations Jason, You’ve Earned It!
Check out the FAA Award Ceremony:
