Foil: 9 Panel: 2 Column: 1 Line: 80

Wall of Honor Level:
Air and Space Friend

Honored by:
Mr. Ferrin Moore

Al Michaels, Aircraft Maintenance Division, 42 years of Aviation Service
He started his aviation career in 1964 as an aircraft mechanic. In 1967 Al graduated from the U.S. Army’s Helicopter Flight School program and served the next 3 years as a Warrant Officer. While in the Army he served a one-year tour of duty in Vietnam as a medical evacuation “Dustoff” pilot and two years as an instrument instructor pilot.
After discharge from the Army he continued his aviation career maintaining and flying helicopters for various helicopter repair stations and operators. For eight years he co-owned a helicopter FAA repair station specializing in Bell Helicopter products.
Al then joined with two other partners to build the Indianapolis Downtown Heliport. This was the first full service heliport located within the limits of a major city in the U.S. In 1987 he joined the FAA as an airworthiness inspector and worked at the Indianapolis FSDO for four years before transferring to FAA Headquarters in Washington, D.C.
In his current position as a National Resource Specialist for the Aircraft Maintenance Division, AFS-300, he is responsible for all helicopters and aircraft replacement parts airworthiness issues. This involves writing and developing policy, regulations, and guidance that affects the continued airworthiness operation of type certificated products along with supporting the Aviation Trade Associations.
Al’s FAA ratings include an Airframe and Powerplant certificate and a Commercial Helicopter Pilot’s certificate with an instrument rating. He also held an Inspection Authorization (IA) prior to his employment with the FAA.