Mr. Ed Libassi Honored for Distinguished Career

During a special 24 March 2023 ceremony, the FAA awarded its top maintenance honor, the Charles Taylor Master Mechanic Award, to Long Island aircraft mechanic Ed Libassi, 70, of Shoreham, New York, for his more than fifty-years of service to the aviation community.

Mr. 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 presented exclusively to those whose aviation careers span more than fifty-years. The award honors an individual’s lifetime accomplishments, sacrifice, and dedication to the larger aviation industry. The award is named for Charles Taylor, the first aviation mechanic in powered flight, who served as the Wright brothers' mechanic and is credited with designing and building the engine by which the famed duo’s Wright Flyer was powered.

An audience of more than fifty individuals comprising Mr. Libassi’s closest friends, family, and members of the FAA, were on hand to see him receive the prestigious award.

Mr. Libassi Started his career as an aircraft mechanic at Eastern Airlines’ Kennedy Airport base of operations at which he worked until Eastern went out of business in 1991.

At age 19, Mr. Libassi opened the doors to A&P Aircraft Maintenance. As the business grew, Libassi’s love of and dedication to Long Island compelled him to move his general aviation repair shop from Bayport, Brookhaven, to MacArthur Airport.

Between 2003 and 2018, Mr. Libassi oversaw, often personally, emergency maintenance for all Long Island MacArthur airlines—recovering airplanes downed on beaches, residential properties, and other inaccessible environs.

In 2011, Mr Libassi opened A&P Aviation Consulting for purpose of providing investigation services in cases of incidents and accidents related or ascribed to aircraft and engine maintenance.

Mr. Libassi is a licensed FAA Aircraft and Powerplant mechanic with Inspection Authority (IA); a certified Designated Airworthiness Designee, Maintenance (DAR-T); and a Director of Maintenance for both Part 135 and Part 141 operators.

When he isn’t fixing airplanes, consulting, or occupying himself in the service of the Long Island aviation community, Mr. Libassi enjoys being a husband, father of two sons, and grandfather to two granddaughters.

Mr. Labissi’s wife, Kathy, is the executive administrator for A&P Aircraft Maintenance and A&P Aviation Consulting.

FMI: www.apaircraft.com