John Norton is PAI’s Vice President for Aeronautics, and is a 1982 graduate of the United States Air Force Academy. A retired Air Force Colonel, his Air Force experience includes flight operations in the C-130 aircraft as well as Operational Test & Evaluation and operational leadership in the C-17 aircraft. He also served in various command and staff positions including Vice Commander of the Air Force’s largest combat Wing in Southwest Asia, and in his final assignment was the Air Force Academy’s Director of Character and Leadership Development.
John’s education includes a BS in Aeronautical Engineering from the Air Force Academy and a MS in Mechanical Engineering from California State University, Fresno. He directs a charter school program teaching 14 year-olds to fly gliders, and teaches operational flight test at the National Test Pilot School in Mojave, California.
John holds FAA Airline Transport Pilot and Flight Instructor ratings. He actively flies his own aircraft, a Piper J-3 Cub, as well as gliders and towplanes.