Johann started his aviation career in the South African Air force in 1955, a year after graduating from high school.

After serving 8 years in the Air force as an instructor and fighter pilot, he advanced to South African Airways in 1963, where he commenced as a First Officer on DC-3, DC-4, then through various other types to a command on Boeing 747 Classic.

After 25 years service, he joined Singapore Airlines, still on B747 Classics, for another 8 years. He retired from active airline flying in April 1996, with 33 years of airline service and 19742 flying hours.

On taking up residence in Australia in May 1996, he joined a major flight training school in Adelaide, where he became manager of the Airline Transition Training section. He remains active in aviation as a flying instructor and lately as a simulator instructor for Alteon Training.

He is a certified ISO 9001:2015 Lead Auditor and has been auditing for Flight Safety Pty Ltd since August 2007.

Johann enjoys woodwork, metal fabrication and general handiwork in his small but crowded “workshop” at home on the Gold Coast.