Jan Johnson - For the Joy of Flying

When Jan Johnson learned a coworker was taking flight lessons at the local airport, it was kismet. She immediately signed up for lessons and eight months later, she earned her private pilot license at age 51.

For the last 12 years, Jan has been having more fun than should legally be possible flying all over the country to airshows, air races, fly-ins, and is nuts for warbirds.

Since 2017, she has been the number 10 caretaker and owner of a 1945 WWII era Stinson L-5 liaison aircraft. Jan named her Betty Stinson and keeps Betty hangared at Hayward, California in the “Jan Cave.”

The Stinson L-5 played an important role in the Allied success at Normandy and in 2019, Jan traveled to France to attend the ‘L-Birds Back to Normandy’ event, honoring the 75th anniversary of D-Day.

Aviation has opened up a world of adventure, fantastic people, and shenanigans she never could have imagined. Jan’s love of flying and the joy it brings to her life is both uplifting and amazing. And she’s still *just* getting started…