![\"Johanson.jpg\"](\"\/\\wp-content\\uploads\/Johanson.jpg\")
GEICO Skytyper pilot and Northport resident Bob Johansen became the latest recipient of the FAA\u2019s Wright Brother\u2019s Master Pilot Award at a ceremony at the Cradle of Aviation Museum on Long Island.<\/p>\n GEICO Skytyper pilot and Northport resident Bob Johansen became the latest recipient of the FAA\u2019s Wright Brother\u2019s Master Pilot Award at a ceremony at the Cradle of Aviation Museum on Long Island.<\/p>\n
The Federal Aviation Administration\u2019s (FAA) Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award Program (MPA) recognizes pilots who have conducted 50 or more consecutive years of safe flight operations.<\/p>\n
Johansen is the slot pilot for the GEICO Skytypers, flying the vintage WWII trainer plane called the SNJ-2 in low-altitude, close-formation demonstrations at air shows around the nation. He earned his private pilot\u2019s license in 1958 and after graduation from Kalamazoo College in 1961 he joined the Navy and reported to Pensacola, FL, for flight training. He was later based at Quonset Point, RI, flying Grumman S2 “Tracker” anti-submarine aircraft from aircraft carriers.<\/p>\n
After retiring from active duty in 1966, he joined TWA as a commercial pilot out of New York on international and domestic routes for 33 years. He joined the Farmingdale-based GEICO Skytypers in 1977. In addition to flying \u201cslot\u201d position on the airshow team, Johansen instructs formation and navigation planning for airshow cross-country trips.
\n
\nThe FAA issued its first Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award in 2003 and at the Cradle of Aviation Museum ceremony Friday evening Johansen became the 2,800th pilot honored in the nation.<\/p>\n
\u201cJohansen is a consummate airman,\u201d said Ronald Hughes, Manager of the Farmingdale Flight Standards District Office of the FAA. \u201cNot only does he follow the rules he knows the reason for the rules and has flown for 50 years without even scratching a wingtip.\u201d<\/p>\n
Throughout his Navy and airline careers, Bob maintained his interest in general aviation, flying, owning, and helping build various light aircraft.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was both a surprise and an honor to receive this FAA Wright Brothers award at the Cradle of Aviation Museum,\u201d said Johansen. \u201cIt\u2019s as much about safety as years in flight. Our team has flown together for so many flight hours that in any given situation I know exactly how each pilot will respond and vice versa.\u201d<\/p>\n
In addition to presenting Johansen and his wife Beth commemorative award pins, the FAA presented the Skytyper pilot with his complete airman certification record documenting his 50-year history of safe flight.<\/p>\n