Thomas L Mace (1939-2022), was a legendary engineer at John F. Kennedy (JFK) and Dulles International airports, although most would know him by the name ‘Young Tom’. He started his aviation career in the Air Force in 1957, and after serving 4 years, moved to the commercial aviation industry. He became a maintenance engineer at Pan American Airways, but spent the majority of his 40 year career at British Airways (BA).

Tom was a subject matter expert on the Boeing 747, and multiple other aircrafts, but the work he was most proud of was supporting the operation and safety of the Concorde, the first supersonic passenger-carrying commercial airplane. As one of the Concorde Elite Technical Team members, he would take quick day trips to Pittsburgh, or fly world-wide, in order to support the maintenance of this specialized aircraft. He was called on multiple times at Dulles Airport to give a politician or celebrity a private tour of the jet, but also let his sons see behind the scenes before the days of ‘take your child to work day’.

Tom was dedicated to the safety of all who flew. He happily pulled overtime or covered shifts, and often worked holidays. He did not shy away from the physical demands of being a maintenance engineer, especially during the cold winters in New York. He received numerous accolades from BA leadership for his quick responsiveness and ability to solve issues. Only after his retirement, did he give in to double shoulder replacement, due to all of the strenuous time under the belly of aircrafts. ‘Young Tom’ worked quickly and efficiently, always on his feet.

Tom took his book training seriously: highlighting, adding notes in the margins, and tagging all of his manuals and learning materials. His notes and font colors depicted easy ways to remember important information or applicability to other machines or processes. As a British Airways employee, he spent months at a time in England learning and training on new aircrafts and technologies. He and his family have fond memories of their time spent together overseas.

When not at work, he was thinking about it. He kept a pair of binoculars nearby to see what plane was flying overhead. While on vacation, he and his family visited the Concorde at the Intrepid Museum in New York, where Tom ended up giving the tour guide a guide of the aircraft.

Before his retirement in 2001, Tom was awarded a Silver Veterans Badge. It is an honor conferred by the Grand Lodge of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, due to loyalty and service to fellow workers for twenty-five years. ‘Young Tom’ has left a legacy of commitment and professionalism in the aviation field at both JFK and Dulles International airports. While his family now looks to the sky to find him, he’s looking down on all of us, and watching the airplanes with the best view.