Young A&P pilot builds mobile aircraft maintenance business while flying cargo

At just 23 years old, Philip Krzyszton has carved out a unique aviation career that blends his passion for flying with his expertise in aircraft maintenance. He owns a vintage 1965 Mooney M20E, flies cargo on converted Dassault Falcon 20 jets, and operates AircraftMD, a growing mobile aircraft maintenance company. Remarkably, he has done all this without taking on any debt.

Krzyszton's aviation journey began on a farm in Waumandee, Wisconsin, where a neighboring farmer's Taylorcraft airplane routinely flew over his family's fields. Fascinated from age eight, Krzyszton’s formative experiences watching those flights ignited a lifelong passion. Eventually, he got a chance to fly along with the farmer, solidifying his commitment to aviation.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Krzyszton completed Sporty's online ground school and trained with a Part 61 flight school, earning his private pilot certificate. His initial plan to attend an A&P school and transfer credits to the University of North Dakota’s Part 141 aviation program was disrupted when that transfer option was shut down. Despite this setback, his strong mechanical background from working on farm equipment encouraged him to continue with A&P training independently, balancing flight training and work.

Supporting himself through this phase required a rigorous work ethic. Krzyszton worked as a night line technician at the airport during weekdays and 12-hour shifts in hospital security on weekends. He actively pursued scholarships, including applying to ones where eligibility seemed questionable, capitalizing on opportunities others overlooked. He also secured museum scholarships not prominently advertised, demonstrating resourcefulness in funding his education.

Krzyszton found that his maintenance training profoundly enhanced his perspective as a pilot, and conversely, his piloting experience informed his maintenance work. For example, he noted how an understanding of operational needs—like recognizing when a burnt-out cockpit light bulb is critical for flight—helps bridge the divide between maintenance regulations and practical flying requirements. This dual skill set became the foundation for his AircraftMD mobile maintenance company.

After graduating, Krzyszton began flying with a small cargo operator, flying converted Falcon 20 aircraft on a two-weeks-on, two-weeks-off schedule. Rather than slowing down during off weeks, he worked as a mobile A&P mechanic, initially serving customers locally and gradually expanding nationwide with prepurchase inspections and ferry flights. Through this, he witnessed a widespread maintenance labor shortage and aging mechanics retiring without successors.

The inefficiencies in traveling between jobs and constant demand led Krzyszton to utilize his Mooney airplane as a tool to reach clients faster. The M20E's efficient cruise speed of about 160 knots and fuel consumption around nine to ten gallons per hour make it ideal for quick deployments. He can often perform small repairs promptly or coordinate overnight parts shipments directly to aircraft locations, improving service responsiveness.

A persistent bottleneck Krzyszton identified is parts availability, a common challenge in general aviation maintenance. To address this and improve the industry's efficiency, he envisions innovations like a franchise model for A&P shops that standardizes business practices and modernizes operations long overdue for an update. His goal is to combat the general aviation maintenance crisis by creating systems that appeal to and empower the next generation of mechanics.

While many aspiring aviators focus solely on airline careers, Krzyszton advocates for exploring diverse paths within aviation. His journey shines a light on opportunities that combine flying and technical skills, offering a sustainable and debt-free way to build a career. By proving there is more than one way to succeed, he inspires others to consider innovative options beyond traditional flight paths.