Master mechanic Joseph "Ski" Suszczynski

On September 23rd, 2025, Darrell Hughes, from the DFW FAA Safety Team, presented Joseph "Ski" Suszczynski with the Charles Taylor Master Mechanic Award.

Ski was a graduate of Aviation High School, Class of 1973 and Extended 12th, which was completed  in January 1974.

From Ski, "I could not find an aviation job so I enlisted in the USAF as a jet engine mechanic. I spent 20 years working on T56 engines which were used on C-130 Hercules aircraft in different roles, engine shop, flight line, test cell, engine records, and was a USAF Master Instructor, teaching T56 engines, 54H60-91 Propellers and GTC85-71A gas turbine engines. During that time also taught general, airframe and powerplant courses for the University of Embry Riddle. After my Air Force career, I went to work for Raytheon Aerospace performing MRO on T56 engines for 4 years. Then joined StandardAero where I worked T56 engines for 23 years then switched to Rolls Royce Spey and Tay engines. My current role is a Training Manager."

The award was presented at StandardAero DFW Center of Excellence, which is a FAA Part 145 Jet Engine MRO facility, in front of  staff, Ski's family and friends.

---