On June 14, Clifford G. Johnson was presented with the Charles Taylor Master Mechanic Award for 50 years of ‘Dedicated Technical Aircraft Maintenance Service and Safety’ by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the American Airlines Tech Ops Department at LaGuardia Airport.
Clifford Johnson was born and raised in Corona, Queens. At an early age, he enjoyed assembling model airplanes, cars, and warships. He got his first job working in an auto parts store, and while working in the machine shop, he enhanced his mechanical skills. He applied and was accepted into the Aviation High School’s Aircraft Maintenance Program, where he excelled and was awarded a mechanic’s toolbox at graduation. After passing the test for his Powerplant License, Clifford was accepted into the extended 12th-year program at the high school, where he obtained his Airframe License to complete his Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) requirements.
After Aviation High School, Clifford started working as a baggage handler for Trans World Airlines (TWA). A year later, he transferred to aircraft maintenance at JFK International Airport’s Hangar 12, where he was a technician and supervisor. He worked with TWA from 1973 to 2001.
Between 1981 and 1984, TWA awarded Clifford a position that required him to relocate to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, where he trained maintenance technicians at Saudi Arabian Airlines. In addition to training staff and performing routine and non-routine assignments, he supervised and directed the maintenance operations on the Boeing 707, 737, 747, and Lockheed L1011 aircraft.
In 2001 American Airlines and Trans World Airlines merged and Clifford transferred to American Airlines/ Trans World Airlines in St. Louis Lambert International Airport as an Aircraft Maintenance Technician. In November of 2004 he returned to NY and was stationed at LaGuardia Airport in East Elmhurst. During his time at LaGuardia Airport, Clifford was awarded the 2009 Aircraft Maintenance Employee of the Year award.
Clifford’s career with American Airlines in Aircraft Maintenance continued, and in June of 2011 he was promoted to the position of Compliance Specialist at JFK/LGA Airports. In September of 2013 he was promoted to his current position of Supervisor for Tech Ops Line Maintenance at LaGuardia Airport.
His broad knowledge of aircraft includes the Boeing 707, 727, 737, 747, 757, 767, McDonnell Douglas MD-80, Lockheed L-1011, and Airbus A319, A320, and A321.
Clifford had over one hundred guests, including family, friends, co-workers, and distinguished leaders from American Airlines, in attendance for the presentation of his Charles Taylor Master Mechanic Award and celebration of his exceptional 50 years in Aircraft Maintenance and Safety.
“Married to my high school sweetheart, Jean, blessed with three daughters and a son, the grandfather of eight and two great-grands; 50 years married and 51 consecutive years in the aviation industry has awarded me a good life! I will be retiring from American Airlines at LaGuardia on September 30, 2024,” said Clifford Johnson.
