Press Releases

MARK RUNGE NAMED GREAT LAKES REGION AVIATION MAINTENANCE TECHNICIAN OF THE YEAR

PIQUA, Ohio — December 18, 2000 — Hartzell Propeller today announced that on Dec. 4, Mark Runge, a Service Center Technician, was named Aviation Maintenance Technician of the Year for the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) Great Lakes region.
Previously the recipient of the FAA’s 2001 Aviation Maintenance Technician of the Year award in the Cincinnati Flight Standard Office district, Runge went on to be selected out of nominees from 12 other FAA districts in the eight state Great Lakes region. The award recognizes outstanding contributions to aviation safety and dedication to the highest ideals and standards in the industry. As the regional award winner, Runge is now eligible to receive the FAA’s national award.

For more than eight years, Runge has worked at Hartzell’s Factory Service Center at the Piqua, Ohio Airport as an aviation mechanic. His responsibilities include the removal, installation and dynamic balancing of the complete line of Hartzell propellers and governors. His special expertise in propeller certification and the issuance of Special Type Certificates involves extensive interface with not only the Hartzell engineering staff, but also the FAA. In addition, Runge maintains Hartzell’s SOCATA TBM 700, Beech F33 Bonanza, North American SNJ and all Hartzell Flying Club airplanes.

“We offer a hearty congratulations to Mark Runge for being honored as Aviation Maintenance Technician of the Year,” said Hartzell Propeller Chairman Jim Brown. “Mark truly exemplifies commitment to technical excellence, pride in workmanship and community service. His dedication to the highest standards of professionalism and service make him an important member of our Hartzell family.”

In 1996, Runge received his FAA Inspection Authorization and in 2000 became a designated FAA Airworthiness Safety Program Counselor. He is a private pilot and has been a member of the Aircraft Owner and Pilot Association (AOPA) #01354036 since 1997 and of the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) #450166 since 1994.

Runge received his bachelor’s degree in Aviation Technology from Purdue University in 1991. He resides in Piqua, Ohio, with his wife, Michelle, and their two sons.

Hartzell Propeller Inc. is the world’s leading manufacturer of propeller systems, well known for its advanced engineering and manufacturing capabilities. The company is rich in aviation heritage tracing its beginnings to relationships with Orville Wright and Glenn Curtiss. Significant technical innovations include the industry’s first full-feathering propeller for light twins, the first fully reversing propellers for corporate turboprops and the industry’s first composite structure blades. Hartzell was recently selected by NASA as the exclusive propeller partner for its General Aviation Propulsion (GAP) program – developing the next generation of general aviation propulsion systems.

For more information on Hartzell, fax your request to Hartzell at (937) 778-4321.