Originally published in 2011
Since 1961, Mike Muzyczyn has been a certified A&P aircraft mechanic. On March 1, the Federal Aviation Administration (FM) recognized his 50 years of service to the aviation community with the Charles Taylor Master Mechanic Award. The ceremony took place at Butch’s Steak House in Kingsville.
But becoming the 1,498th recipient (there are over 300,000 licensed mechanics in the U.S.) of this award is only a small part of Muzyczyn’s amazing journey.
Born in the Ukraine in 1939, Muzyczyn and his family evaded the invading Nazi army for five years, before being captured along with 3,000 of their countrymen. The group was placed on trains and told they were being sent to the Auschwitz concentration camp in Poland. When word of their destination spread to each railcar, the brave group overpowered the German troops and bolted to the nearby forests. The Muzyczyn family spent days in the forest without eating before finally reaching a safe house.
In 1950, the family boarded a U.S. Navy transport ship and headed to America, enduring a hurricane along the way. The family settled in New Jersey.
Mike Muzyczyn graduated high school in 1955, and then attended the Teterboro School of Aeronautics, where he graduated with an A&P mechanic’s license in 1961. He then joined the navy and spent his career stationed at Corpus Christi. He received an honorable discharge in 1965.
In 1965, Muzyczyn started Mike’s Aircraft Shop at Cuddihy Field, plying his trade until that field dosed in 1983.
“I loved South Texas, and searched for a new location,” says Muzyczyn. “Kleberg County Airport proved to be perfect, and I’m very happy to be here today.”
The Charles Taylor Master Mechanic Award is named in honor of Mr. Charles Taylor, the first aviation mechanic in powered flight. The award recognizes the lifetime accomplishments of senior mechanics. Mr. Taylor served as the Wright Brothers’ mechanic and is credited with designing and building the engine for their first successful aircraft.
“He’s an immigrant who came to America to pursue the American dream and always had a real strong work ethic,” said Muzyczyn’s wife Judy. ‘We are proud of him and all our clients love him to pieces.”