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Wall of Honor Level:
Air and Space Sponsor

Honored by:
Ms. Sylvia Prester

David Severance Appleton first caught the aviation bug when he rode in a crop duster at the age of 12. In 1956 Mr. Appleton joined the United States Air Force and after enduring Basic Training and advanced training, he became a drill instructor.

In 1957, David Appleton was assigned to Aircraft Mechanics School in Wichita Falls, Texas. After training, Mr. Appleton was reassigned to Donaldson AFB where he was an engine mechanic on C-124 Aircraft. Mr. Appleton spent two deployments to Germany and visited several mid-eastern countries, as well as Libya and Ethiopia as a crewman. He attained the rank of E4, Airman First Class or as E4s were commonly called: Buck Sergeant.

Shortly after discharge from the USAF in 1960, David Appleton attended East Coast Aero-Tech A&P Mechanics School at L.G. Hanscom Field in Bedford, Massachusetts. Upon graduation Mr. Appleton worked for Kaman Helicopter and Hamilton Standard Division of United Aircraft in Bradley Field, Connecticut.

In 1963, David Appleton joined Eastern Airlines, Inc. where he spent most of his aviation career, first as a Line Mechanic. Over a 28 year period, Mr. Appleton worked for Eastern in several locations as Maintenance Foreman. After Eastern Airlines went out of business, Mr. Appleton went to work at Airborne Express, Inc. and held various positions as a DC-9 Maintenance Planner and Maintenance Manager, and retired as a DC-9 and B-767 Maintenance Specialist, specializing in aging aircraft.

In 1991 David Appleton earned his IA certification. Since retiring Mr. Appleton has performed one or two Annual Inspections a year at his hangar at a private airport in New Hampshire. In addition he assists other owner/pilots in the maintenance of their aircraft. Mr. Appleton had owned a Piper PA24-260 Comanche for 17 years which for two years he flew 13 missions for Angel Flight East, volunteering to fly ill persons, sometimes children and their parents, to hospitals for treatment.

In 2012 with over 54 years of continuous service to aircraft maintenance, David Appleton was honored by the Federal Aviation Administration with the Charles Taylor "?“Master Mechanic"?” Award for Mr. Appleton's ?“"dedicated service, technical expertise, professionalism and many outstanding maintenance contributions to further advance the cause of aviation safety."?” Throughout his aviation career, David Appleton has always put the safety of crew and passengers first.