Leo Sawatzki, retired manager of engine acquisition and sales and a long-time aircraft technician with Duncan Aviation, has received the Charles Taylor Master Mechanic Award.
The award is named in honor of Charles Taylor, 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.
Recipients must have worked for 50 years in an aviation maintenance career. They must have been an FAA-certificated mechanic or repairman working on N-registered aircraft maintained under the federal aviation regulations for a minimum of 30 of the 50 years required. As of June 2022, 3,207 mechanics have earned the award.
Sawatzki was awarded this recognition in 2020, but the pandemic delayed its presentation. During a reception held at Duncan Aviation, Leo and his wife Linda were honored and presented the award by Owen Grimm, FAA FAASTeam Program Manager.
Sawatzki had a 50-year career in aviation, with 32 of those years at Duncan Aviation.
After graduating from Westside High School in Omaha, Nebraska, he joined the US Navy during the Vietnam War.
“I had no idea what I wanted to do when I joined the Navy,” said Sawatzki.
That was until the age of 19 when he sat in the cockpit of an F4 Phantom and heard the roar of the engines for the very first time.
“It was the most awesome thing I’d ever experienced — the power and smell of the engine burn,” he recalled. “I’ve never lost the passion for jet engines.”
In 1973, Sawatzki stepped off the USS Constellation and signed on as a jet engine mechanic with Duncan Aviation in Lincoln, Nebraska. At that time, there were nine mechanics in the entire company. All nine did airframe work, engine work, and even painted the aircraft. They worked on Learjets, Citations, King Airs, Barons, and Bonanzas.
Over the years, Sawatzki was promoted to lead mechanic, service manager, and supervisor when the first Duncan Aviation Engine Shop was opened.
“We wouldn’t have an engine shop if it weren’t for Leo,” said Doug Alleman, vice president of customer service. “He initiated a letter-writing campaign that resulted in our engine shop becoming established and authorized.”