Charlie Johnson (pilot)

Charles (Charlie) Johnson is a former president of Cessna Aircraft. He was born in 1942 in Georgia and grew up in Memphis. He has always been passionate about technology. Because he was also passionate about flight, he joined the Air Force. He fought in the Vietnam War flying the T-33, T-37, T-38, and the F-105. After the Vietnam War he continued with his love of flying. Johnson was a personal pilot for Arnold Palmer. After this he became a test pilot for Learjet. He was the test pilot for the Javelin, a fighter like training airplane. Soon after he rose through the ranks of Cessna to President and COO of Cessna Aircraft. Johnson joined Bye Aerospace in 2014 and was inducted into the Colorado Aviation Hall of Fame the same year. He has just recently been inducted into the Kansas Aviation Hall of Fame. Johnson continues to fly and has a love of cars.