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By Billy Singleton | Special to The Advertiser

Clanton Mayor Jeff Mims and the Clanton City Council recently honored Kenneth Gilliland, co-owner of B&G Flying Service of Clanton, for achieving the milestone of fifty years of service as an Aviation Maintenance Technician. During the April 22 meeting of the Clanton City Council, Gilliland was presented with a proclamation recognizing his numerous contributions to aviation safety in, and beyond, Chilton County.

Gilliland served honorably as an aircraft technician in the United States Air Force from 1972-1992 and completed tours of duty in southeast Asia and the Persian Gulf. After retiring from military service, Gilliland was licensed by the Federal Aviation Administration as a Certificated Airframe and Powerplant Maintenance Technician.

Kenneth and Nancy Gilliland own and operate B&G Flying Service at the Chilton County Airport. The firm has provided aircraft maintenance and repair services at the airport for more than 25 years. In 2013, Gilliland was honored by the Federal Aviation Administration as Aviation Maintenance Technician of the Year for the southern region that includes eight southeastern states, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. He was also honored through a resolution of the Alabama House of Representatives for his efforts in supporting law enforcement aviation units.

In a ceremony immediately following the council meeting on April 22, Richard Henry of the Federal Aviation Administration presented Gilliland with the Charles Taylor Master Mechanic Award in recognition of his fifty years of service as an Aircraft Maintenance Technician.