UC honors aviation exec with lifetime achievement award

After graduating with a bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering, Johnson returned to his co-op employer, Lockheed, where he served as a structures engineer, specializing in aircraft fatigue and damage tolerance analytical methods.

In 1981, Johnson joined Gulfstream Aerospace as a structures technical specialist, launching a 30-year career in business aviation. In that span, Johnson participated in every major Gulfstream product, producing some of the world’s most advanced business aircraft. 

As project manager and later chief engineer, Johnson was responsible for the technical design of the Gulfstream V. This aircraft design went on to win the National Aeronautic Association’s prestigious Collier Trophy in 1997, an annual award that recognizes the greatest achievement in aviation in America. In 2003, when he was vice president of engineering and technology, Gulfstream earned another Collier Trophy for the G550.

During this time, he oversaw projects that took cutting-edge technologies and applied them to business aviation. The G550 employed the first use of an enhanced vision system using an infrared camera, and the G500 is the first nonmilitary aircraft to have active control side stick technology in the cockpit – two technologies that created safer, more intuitive flight experiences.

Under Johnson’s management and leadership, Gulfstream produced aircraft that created a safer and more efficient environment for pilots and passengers alike. His work in the aviation field will have a lasting impact for years to come. But through all this success, Johnson never forgets that all these opportunities were open to him because of co-op.

“Being at UC taught me the value of cooperative education, and it was a tremendous boost to my later career,” he said. “I would not have had success in my later career if it wasn’t for co-op.”

Aside from pursing excellence in the air, Johnson has always been committed to providing others with the same opportunities he had, particularly regarding his co-op experience. In 2003, the National Commission for Cooperative Education selected him to the Co-op Hall of Fame for his work in establishing a Gulfstream co-op program dedicated to hiring, supporting and retaining undergraduate engineering students across the country.

“In my career, I’ve been very fortunate to work with an amazing team of fellow engineers at Gulfstream,” said Johnson. “We were able to develop and produce some of the world’s most successful business aircraft, and I’m very proud of that. But one thing I’m even more proud of is the cooperative education program that we set up.”

Johnson’s commitment to students and his success in the business aviation field made him the ideal recipient for the college’s Lifetime Achievement Award. Johnson embodies the college’s commitment to excellence, achievement and service, and his influence will leave a lasting legacy for students and professionals.

Now retired, Johnson has had the opportunity to reflect on his career and where it all started.

“There are a half dozen key events that really shaped my professional life,” he said, “and the first one of those was my decision to attend UC and get involved in aerospace engineering and cooperative education.

“I really had the opportunity to live my dream with my education and my career in the aircraft industry.”  

Featured image above: An aerial view of the Gulfstream G550. Photo/Gulfstream Aerospace