By James Tymczyszyn, EAA 1496839
On Christmas Eve 2022, EAA members Joseph, John, William, Robert, and James Tymczyszyn became the first group of five brothers to be awarded the coveted Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award. This achievement obviously called for a trip this year to EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2023 for an iconic photo under the famous Brown Arch.
All five grew up flying with their father, WWII pilot and FAA Engineering test pilot Joseph J. Tymczyszyn (1918-1999). Among other achievements, he was the primary certification test pilot for America’s first jet airliners, the 707 and DC-8. All this in addition to teaching his five sons to fly.
With 62 years as a pilot, oldest son Joe, EAA 1281792, has a PhD in aeronautical engineering from MIT and an ATP rating. He worked on windshear (LLWAS) and cabin ozone at FAA HQ before becoming an air carrier ops inspector. Next, he moved to the aviation staff of Congressman Barry Goldwater Jr. Later, he worked at Boeing on flight deck research and the 757/767 common type rating. Finally back at FAA in 2002, he became their senior rep to China at the U.S. Embassy-Beijing. He retired and moved back to the United States in 2016.
The next oldest is John “Tym,” EAA 1328168, with 59 years as a pilot. After receiving his BS in aeronautical engineering, he flew C-141s in the U.S. Air Force during the Vietnam War. His most memorable flight was flying into North Vietnam to bring our POWs back home. John then flew for Flying Tigers while working for Global Navigation, developing the first long-range VLF/Omega navigation system. John became chief cilot of Flying Tigers’ 727 operation, and following the merger with FedEx, 747 chief pilot. In retirement, he flew the DC-3 and participated in the 75thanniversary of D-Day over Europe.
William “Bill,” EAA 669084, is the middle son with 56 years of flying and a BS in aeronautical engineering. He became the engineering test pilot for Global Navigation. He flew at Continental Airlines until a bankruptcy and strike, then helped found Universal Navigation, building the first flight management system for GA. Post-strike, he returned to Continental and eventually retired from United. William flew the 727, and is type rated in the 737, 747, 757, 767, 777, 787, Falcon 10, and DC-10. He has been a FAA designated engineering representative test pilot for more than 40 years. For fun, he flies the three family airplanes, plus a DC-3 and C-47.
Robert “Bob,” EAA 517414, is the second youngest with 53 years as a pilot. He flight instructed while attending UCLA, then went on to fly Twin Otters in Alaska during pipeline construction. He also flew C-119s hauling fresh salmon out of Bristol Bay. Starting with Flying Tigers when he was 24, he finished a 37-year airline career with FedEx, flying the DC-8, 747, 727, and MD-11. In 2019, he flew the Flabob Express DC-3 across the North Atlantic for the 75th anniversary of D-Day and the 70th anniversary of the Berlin Airlift. He currently flies the DC-3 and is a captain on the Palm Springs Air Museum’s C-47.
James “Jim,” EAA 1496839, is the youngest brother with “only” 50 years as a pilot, having retired from American Airlines two years ago. Prior to AA, Jim flight instructed before flying Twin Otters for Golden West Airlines. After four consecutive furloughs in the commuter airline world, Jim switched to corporate aviation, flying a Mitsubishi Diamond Jet. At AA, James flew the 727, MD-80, DC-10, 757, 767, 777, and 787. He now flies a 1931 Buhl LA-1 Flying Bull Pup.