Melvin (Mel) Johnson is the Deputy Director of the Federal Aviation Administration’s Policy & Innovation Division, where he oversees the development of Aircraft Certification Services Policy, such as airworthiness standards, production and type certification procedures and continued operational safety policy. The Division has staff in Seattle, Oklahoma City, Ft. Worth, Kansas City, Boston and Washington DC.
Prior to joining the Policy & Innovation Division, Mel was the acting manager of the Small Airplane Directorate. where he directed the airworthiness standards, continued operational safety, policy, and guidance for small aircraft, gliders, light sport aircraft, airships, and balloons. The Directorate also managed the certification activities involving all aeronautical products within the geographical boundaries encompassing 21 states and international general aviation aircraft projects.
Before his career at the FAA, Mel worked for various aerospace companies designing and certifying modifications for a variety of aircaft from Boeing 747 modifications to performance enhancements on the Beechcraft King Air.
Mel graduated from Brigham Young University with a Bachelor’s of Science in Mechanical Engineering.