Azriel “Al” Blackman, the record-setting aviation mechanic whose career with American Airlines spanned eight decades, has died at the age of 100.
Blackman’s historic career made him a widely recognized figure within commercial aviation and among his colleagues at John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) in New York, where he spent decades working on aircraft maintenance teams.
An Eight-Decade Aviation Legacy
Blackman built an unprecedented legacy in the airline industry, maintaining aircraft across 80 years of continuous service with American Airlines. His career extended so long that his time with the company was recognized as longer than the history of many active commercial carriers.
In July 2017, Blackman achieved official recognition from Guinness World Records upon reaching 75 years of service with American Airlines, setting the world record for the longest career as an airline mechanic.
Honors and Industry Tributes
To celebrate his 75th anniversary milestone in 2017, American Airlines honored Blackman by dedicating a Boeing 777-200 aircraft in his name during a special ceremony at JFK Airport.
Following his passing at 100, airline colleagues, industry professionals, and aviation publications remembered Blackman for his extraordinary dedication, technical craftsmanship, and decades of contributions to commercial aviation safety.
