Richard C. Jones has over 40 years of experience in aviation including 4 years in the United States Air Force, 28 years with the Federal Aviation Administration as an Air Traffic Controllers and Supervisor, and 8 years in the private sector. Mr. Jones is the past president of the Coalition of Black Controllers/National Black Coalition of Federal Aviation Employees and an original board member of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA). During his tenure with the Federal Aviation Administration, he was the manager and coordinator of the Air Traffic Teamwork Enhancement Program which provided Enhanced Training for the entire 16,000 air traffic control workforce.
Biography of Donald M. Taylor
Donald M. Taylor was born November 8, 1935 in Washington, D.C. He attended District of Columbia public schools and graduated from Cardoza High School in 1954.
Mr. Taylor joined the United States Air Force after graduation and received training as an Aircraft Specialist. After his discharge in 1958, he was hired by the Federal Aviation Administration as an Air Traffic Control Specialist. Mr. Taylor was assigned to the Washington Air Route Traffic Control Center, then located in Hangar Six at the former Washington National Airport, now Reagan National Airport.
Mr. Taylor received advanced training as an Air Traffic Controller at the Oklahoma City Federal Aviation Administration Academy in Norman, Oklahoma. In April 1963, he married the former Patricia Aldrich to whom he remained loving and steadfast until his death in November 1984.
In 1963, the Air Route Traffic Control Center was relocated to Leesburg, Virginia. During Mr. Taylor's tenure in the Federal Aviation Administration, he was a Training Instructor, Air Space Specialist, Military Liaison Specialist, and Acting Supervisor.
Mr. Taylor was the President of the original Coalition of Black Air Traffic Controllers Union formed in 1968. After the PATCO strike of 1981, he organized and was on the Board of Directors of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association, which today is a recognized union by the Federal Aviation Administration.
More than anything, for over 20 years Don Taylor was one of the most noteworthy people in influencing the Federal Aviation Administration’s decision to promote racial equality for minorities within the Agency, and those yet to be hired. During his career, the number of minority controllers increased from less than 20 nationwide to over 1200 prior to the strike of 1981. Hundreds of qualified minorities, who probably would have been passed over for promotions, were promoted as a result of his efforts.
Just a small portion of his legacy is reflected in the immediate Washington Metropolitan area by having minorities in place as managers in all of the major air traffic facilities, including the Washington Air Route Traffic Control Center today.
Donald M. Taylor Aeronautical Academy
Post Office Box 441364, Fort Washington, MD 20744
301.292.4925
Airkop@aol.com
9:00 am – 5: 00 pm Eastern Time