Rickey Joe Smith - Airline Transport Pilot, Flight Instructor, Mechanic, Remote Pilot

Rickey Smith is an FAA-certified pilot, flight instructor, remote pilot, and aircraft mechanic based in Centre, AL. Rickey Joe Smith holds a Airline Transport Pilot certificate with Glider rating. The Airline Transport Pilot certificate is the highest level of pilot certification issued by the FAA, authorizing the holder to act as pilot in command of scheduled airline operations and any aircraft for which they hold a type rating. ATP certification requires a minimum of 1,500 hours of total flight time and passing rigorous written and practical examinations. Rickey holds a Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) certificate with Airplane Single and Multi-Engine, Instrument Airplane, Rotorcraft Helicopter, and Glider ratings. A Certified Flight Instructor certificate authorizes the holder to provide flight training to student and certificated pilots, including ground and flight instruction, solo endorsements, practical test endorsements, and biennial flight reviews. Rickey holds a Remote Pilot certificate with Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (sUAS) rating. A Remote Pilot certificate under 14 CFR Part 107 authorizes the holder to operate small unmanned aircraft systems (drones) weighing less than 55 pounds for commercial purposes, including aerial photography, surveying, inspections, and other professional applications. Rickey holds an Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) mechanic certificate. An A&P certificate is the most comprehensive FAA mechanic certification, authorizing the holder to inspect, maintain, and repair both aircraft structures (fuselage, wings, control surfaces, landing gear) and engines (reciprocating, turbine, and turboprop powerplants). A&P mechanics are qualified to perform the broadest range of aircraft maintenance, including annual inspections when combined with an Inspection Authorization (IA). Rickey Smith also holds an FAA Inspection Authorization (IA), the highest level of maintenance certification issued by the FAA. An IA authorizes the holder to perform annual inspections on aircraft, approve aircraft for return to service after major repairs or alterations, and supervise progressive inspection programs. Inspection Authorization holders must meet stringent experience requirements and pass annual refresher training to maintain their authorization. The FAA airman records for Rickey Smith are tracked and verified by AviatorDB.