During a special ceremony held April 5, 2023, the FAA awarded its Charles Taylor Master Mechanic Award to Long Island aviation mechanic Ed Libassi.
Named in honor of Charles Taylor, the Wright brothers’ mechanic who designed and built the engine for their first successful flight, the 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.
More than 50 people, including Ed’s family and friends, were on hand when representatives of the FAA presented him with the award during a special ceremony.
Ed, 70, is the owner and president of A&P Aircraft Maintenance at Long Island Mac Arthur Airport (KISP) in New York.
He opened the doors to A&P Aircraft Maintenance when he was just 19. As his business grew, he moved the general aviation repair shop from Bayport Aerodrome (23N), to Brookhaven Airport (KHWV), and finally to KISP.
During that time, he also worked as an aircraft mechanic at Eastern Airlines at Kennedy Airport. He worked there for 16 years until Eastern went out of business in 1991.
That experience served him well as he handled emergency maintenance for all the airlines operating out of KISP from 2003 to 2018.
“He has recovered airplanes that crashed on beaches, residential properties, and so much more,” noted his son Matthew.
He opened A&P Aviation Consulting in 2011 to provide investigation services in accidents related to aircraft and engine maintenance.
Ed’s wife Kathy is the executive administrator for A&P Aircraft Maintenance and A&P Aviation Consulting.
Learn more about the Charles Taylor Master Mechanic Award here.