Azriel “Al” Blackman, officially recognized as the longest-working airline mechanic in history, died last week.
A public obituary was not available as of Thursday, but Blackman would have been around 100 at the time of his passing.
American Airlines, Blackman’s employer for almost all of his more than 80-year career, posted a tribute to him on LinkedIn on Tuesday.
“From starting his career in 1942 to earning a Guinness World Record as the longest-serving airline mechanic, his impact on our airline and industry is immeasurable,” the carrier said. “Thank you, Al, for your service, mentorship, and the legacy you leave behind. Your legacy will continue to soar.”
The Transport Workers Union Local 591 said it was notified by Blackman’s family that he died on July 24.
“Over his unmatched eight-plus decades in commercial aviation, Blackie was a respected friend, colleague, mentor, and family man to countless people,” the union said. “From all of us at TWU Local 591, thank you, Blackie, for all you have done. Farewell – you will be missed by generations of aviation professionals you inspired.”
Blackman was just 16 years old when he graduated from Aviation High School in New York and joined American Export Airlines in 1942. According to American, his first job was in a sheet metal shop, and he made 50 cents an hour. For a time, he worked on American Export’s flying boats at LaGuardia.
The carrier was later acquired by American.
Blackman went on to become an aviation maintenance technician crew chief at New York-JFK. Longtime American executive Doug Parker said Blackman worked on nearly every aircraft the airline had flown, from flying boats to the Boeing 777.
While Blackman’s regular shift started at 5 a.m., he was well known for showing up before 3 a.m. most days.
American honored Blackman’s record of service in 2017, when he hit the 75-year mark. At a ceremony at JFK, the airline dedicated a 777 to him, and had Guinness World Records on hand to recognize him with the title of “longest career as an airline mechanic.”
“When you like what you do, it’s not work,” Blackman said at the time.
He retired from American five years later, in 2022, in his mid-90s.
