Dr. Edward Johnson is the FAA’s Chief Scientist and Technical Advisor (CSTA) for Wake Turbulence, with over two decades of experience in the field. He provides science-based guidance to senior FAA leadership to advance wake turbulence research and inform new flight operations and operational standards that promote safe aircraft operations. Dr. Johnson serves as technical interface for wake turbulence issues for both domestic and international agencies and industry partners, including professional and academic organizations. 

Prior to becoming the CSTA for Wake Turbulence, Johnson was employed by both FAA and NASA to provide technical and programmatic support for the planning and execution of wake turbulence research programs. He provided technical leadership and monitored research performed by external organizations, including national laboratories, university research teams, support service contractors, and internal research staff. His research projects include automating the detection of wake turbulence encounters by leveraging recorded flight data, evaluation of probabilistic real-time wake vortex models, categorization of unmanned aircraft systems for wake turbulence purposes, and evaluation of potential wake turbulence mitigations in terminal and en route airspace. Johnson earned a B.S. in Physics from Concord College, an M.S. in Physics from West Virginia University, and a Ph.D. in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering from West Virginia University. He is an instrument rated private pilot.