James Ernest Blanchard - Airline Transport Pilot, Flight Instructor, Mechanic, Flight Engineer

James Blanchard is an FAA-certified pilot, flight instructor, aircraft mechanic, and flight engineer based in Carrollton, GA. James Ernest Blanchard holds a Airline Transport Pilot certificate with Airplane Multi-Engine Land (AMEL), Airplane Single-Engine Land (ASEL), and Airplane Single-Engine Sea (ASES) ratings. This certificate includes type ratings for the Airbus A320 (A-320), Boeing 737 (B-737), McDonnell Douglas DC-9/MD-80 (DC-9), and DHC-8, authorizing the holder to serve as pilot in command of these aircraft types. 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. James holds a Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) certificate with Airplane Single and Multi-Engine and Instrument Airplane 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. James 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). James holds a Flight Engineer certificate with Turbojet rating. This certificate authorizes the holder to serve as a flight engineer on aircraft that require a flight engineer as part of the flight crew. James Blanchard 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. Their most recent FAA medical certificate is a First Class medical, valid through September 2026. The FAA airman records for James Blanchard are tracked and verified by AviatorDB.