Dreams take flight from Boeing Field to the classroom

As a child growing up in Seattle, Michael Johnson lived in a house perched on a hill beside King County International Airport, better known as Boeing Field. From his window, he watched Boeing 747s, affectionately called “Queen of the Skies,” take flight. Each night, engine tests rattled the windows of his home, but for Johnson, it wasn’t noise. It was the spark of a lifelong passion for aviation, which he now shares with students at Career Institute North.  

During National Aviation Week, Johnson recalls how he began flight training while in college, balancing coursework with lessons in the air. He paid for training by working as a ramp agent for Delta Airlines, assisting with ground operations such as guiding aircraft to gates and loading cargo. 

“While I was in flight school, I loved the experience of learning and getting your hours to prepare for the test,” Johnson said.  

He later became a flight attendant, commuting between Dallas and New York City, while finishing his degree at The University of Texas at Austin. Over the years, Johnson has owned multiple planes, worked for Southwest Airlines, and served as a pilot instructor for Envoy Air. 

“Eventually, I became the curriculum developer for Envoy’s flight department,” Johnson said. “I wrote training software for pilots, got programs approved and updated computer-based training systems at headquarters.” 

His career in aviation has taken him all over the country. Along the way, he earned an executive MBA with a concentration in Airline Operations from The University of Texas at Dallas.  

At the institute, Johnson teaches three courses, guiding students through the history and science of flying, as well as preparing them for various careers in the industry. He encourages students to join organizations such as Civil Air Patrol to experience flying firsthand.  

“I teach students more than just aviation. I want to build their character,” he said. “I remind students that integrity is doing the right things when you don’t think anyone is looking and character is doing the right thing when everybody is looking.” 

Beyond the classroom, Johnson has worked to create unique opportunities for African American students in aviation. 

He volunteered with CRP Future Pilots, a nonprofit founded by a fellow member of the U.S. Marine Corps and partnered with a Tuskegee Airman, Calvin Spann, launching aviation programs and training in several Dallas-Fort Worth school districts. He also supported the Steve Harvey Mentoring Weekend, an event where American Airlines flew in a jet of 50 Black pilots to inspire students in Dallas. 

“It was a great honor to get to know and be friends with a Tuskegee Airman. He was a fighter pilot and was one of a few from the Dallas-Fort-Worth area. That was inspiration,” Johnson said, reflecting on their impact in the community.  

Johnson later founded his own nonprofit, The North American Aerotech Academy, which continues to expose hundreds of students to aviation careers.  

Opportunities in aviation continue to grow for students through programs at Career Institute North, Career Institute South, and Skyline High School. 

“For Dallas ISD, to bring aviation into the schools the way they have is phenomenal,” Johnson said. “Having instructors who are former pilots and FAA-certified professionals is a great benefit to the students. I’m honored to be here. You won’t find a better program than what you see in this building.”