FAA Awards Lifetime Achievement to New York Aviation Mechanic

The FAA awarded the Charles Taylor Master Mechanic Award, to Long Island mechanic Ed Libassi, 70, Shoreham, New York, for 50 years of service. 

Libassi is the owner and president of A&P Aircraft Maintenance at MacArthur airport in Ronkonkoma, New York.

The Charles Taylor Master Mechanic Award is given only to those with more than 50 years of aviation service, honoring an individual’s lifetime accomplishments, sacrifice and dedication to the aviation industry.

The Charles Taylor Master Mechanic Award is named after the first aviation mechanic in powered flight. Taylor served as the Wright brothers' mechanic and is credited with designing and building the engine for their first successful aircraft.

More than 50 people, Libassi's closest friends, family and members of the FAA presented him with the award during a special ceremony.

ABOUT Ed Libassi

·       Started his career as an aircraft mechanic at Eastern Airlines, Kennedy Airport, and worked there for 16 years until Eastern went out of business in 1991

·        Opened the doors to A&P Aircraft Maintenance at age 19

·        Dedicated to Long Island; as the business grew, he moved his general aviation repair shop from Bayport, Brookhaven, to MacArthur Airport

·        He handled the emergency maintenance for all LI MacArthur airlines from 2003 – 2018

·        Ed has recovered airplanes that crashed on beaches, residential properties, and so much more

·        He opened A&P Aviation Consulting in 2011 to provide investigation services in accidents related to aircraft and engine maintenance

·        Ed is a licensed FAA Aircraft and Powerplant mechanic with Inspection Authority (IA); a certified DAR-T; a Director of Maintenance for 135 and 141 operators    

·        Father of two sons, grandfather to two granddaughters

·        Wife Kathy is the executive administrator for A&P Aircraft Maintenance and A&P Aviation Consulting