Pro
Meet a otor
Matt Johnson RPMN: What is your current position?
I am a single-pilot IFR HAA line pilot, Part 135 check airman, instructor, and FOQA gatekeeper for Metro Aviation, Inc. I’m also a designated pilot examiner for the FAA and remain active as a sworn law enforcement (LE) officer flying on a part-time basis for a sheriff’s office.
RPMN: Tell me about your first experience with helicopters.
Like many, I became fascinated with helicopters at a young age after a short tour on a family vacation. It was undoubtedly one of those “I’ve got to do this someday” moments.
RPMN: How did you get your start in helicopters?
I started flight training in airplanes, but I don’t like to admit it (I’m joking.) I earned my Private ASEL. Although I haven’t flown an airplane in many years, I am glad that I started with this path; it allowed me to gain a lot of initial aeronautical experience. So, when I began in helicopters, I was able to focus primarily on helicopter flying fundamentals and build that skill set. Then, I went on to do all my certificates and ratings from Private through ATP, CFI, and CFI-I over three to four years.
RPMN: What do you see yourself doing if you weren’t in the helicopter industry?
I still think I would be in some aspect of the aviation realm if I were not actively flying. I have a strong passion for education and would likely be in an academic role at the college level. I also have a strong passion for weather and would find a way to include that in my career.
RPMN: What do you enjoy on your days off?
Well, they say don’t take your work home, but aviation is more of a passion for me and not just a career and it surely isn’t just a “job.” I spend a lot of my time studying my trade, and I read a lot and include my family in many aviation-related activities. I have a young daughter that is the absolute apple of my eye. But, hey! Who else has a 4-year-old that knows the three stages of a thunderstorm?
RPMN: What is your greatest career accomplishment to date?
That is a tough one for me to answer. I have been fortunate and blessed to be involved in developing and implementing several projects that have ended up benefiting hundreds of pilots, which is very fulfilling. I think if I had to pick one thing, it would be my DPE designation. Although it certainly can be a difficult position
12 Sep/Oct 2022
RPMN: When and how did you choose to fly or work on helicopters? Or did they choose you?
It was all my choice for sure. I had a long successful law enforcement career and began flying a little more than halfway through that career with the mindset of a second career in aviation after retiring from public service, but I got impatient. I had the aviation bug and started flying more and getting more ratings, and then got an opportunity to begin flying part-time for a local sheriff’s office. I built a lot of experience and decided to retire from LE early and began flying full-time. I flew law enforcement, news, instructing, and agricultural. I’ve been flying HAA for the past 12 years and I’ve been a DPE for the past 10 years.
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