This Varieze’s name is “Speedy”. Totally appropriate as its owner and Pilot are into speed!
Leif Johnson has had a lifelong passion for speed and flying. Like many of us he started with model airplanes, ultralights, and a first solo on his 16th birthday. He graduated from the United States Air Force Academy and Euro NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training. In the Air Force he was a flight test Engineer in T-38’s, T-37’s, C-5’s, C-141’s, and B-52’s. He flew the F-15C as combat pilot and did an exchange tour with the Navy as an instructor in the T-34C Mentor and later an instructor for NASA’s astronaut training. He was a director of global airlift operations for the Air Force.
Throughout all this Leif has been also active in General Aviation and flies for a living as a Captain at Southwest Airlines. He and Speedy have been regular participants in EAA”s AirVenture Cup Race.
Lief was in the very first Rutan Aircraft Flying Experience Formation Clinic and flies #3 Wingman in the RAFE EZ Riders formation team. He will be leading the Varieze part of the 50th Anniversary Rutan Reunion Flight this year. Meet Leif Johnson and Speedy:
See you at OSH!
Ryszard Zadow
President, RAFE
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