"Dr. Bill" Announces Retirement

An HFES member for more than 40 years, William Johnson (Dr. Bill) is leaving the FAA Chief Human Factors Scientist position, effective January 1, 2021.  He has been an aviator for more than 55 years, earning his Private Pilot Certificate in 1966. In 2020, he was awarded the FAA Charles Taylor Master Mechanic accolade, for 50 years of outstanding contributions to aviation maintenance as a certified mechanic. In 2019, he received the Flight Safety Foundation FSF-Airbus Human Factors in Aviation Safety Award, for lifetime achievement. He is also a recipient of the Sir Francis Whittle Award from the International Federation of Airworthiness and The Aviation Week MRO Europe Safety Award.

Maintenance/Engineering, Human Factors, Training, and Research define Dr. Johnson’s contributions to aviation safety since he earned his Ph.D. (University of Illinois, ’80). Through hundreds of technical reports, magazine articles, classes, movies and speeches, Johnson has shown the value of applied research to empower airlines and maintenance organizations throughout the world.

Read about Dr. Bill's career and achievements in the FAA Focus article accessible via the "Download Handouts" link below.   Best wishes to you Dr. Bill!