Jet Logistics president helps with Part 135 FAA recommendations

W Ashley Smith of Jet Logistics

Jet Logistics Group founder and president W. Ashley Smith Jr. has taken a leadership role with a select group of other key aviation industry members who collectively have spent the past two years developing training recommendations for Part 135 and Part 142 operators to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

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The industry leadership group includes the National Air Transportation Association (NATA), the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) and other on-demand air carriers and training centers.

Smith has a diverse background as a commercial airline pilot, airframe and powerplant (A&P)-certificated mechanic, and holds an airline transport pilot certification, including being type-rated in multiple aircraft. He worked with CAE, FlightSafety and Reynolds Jet, in contributing significant time and energy to working with the FAA to modernise training protocol that outlines how air carriers under 14CFR Part 135 will operate with training centres that operate under 14CFR Part 142.

Smith Jr. said: “The challenges for both air carriers and the FAA have been difficult for many years regarding this issue. The guidance associated with these regulations is confusing, and interpreted many ways across the country, creating an unlevel playing field for operators.

“Our goals have been to revise the guidance surrounding this subject matter, while leaving the current regulations intact. This will allow the FAA to implement changes faster, and hopefully create a higher level of safety for all, while also reducing confusion across the country.”