Jeff Wofford

President
Flying W Aviation

Jeff Wofford has been a professional pilot for 44 years and has flown more than 14,000 accident-free hours in over 100 different types of aircraft. Aviation Safety has been at the forefront of Wofford’s focus for many years. He has also been a member of the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) Safety Committee for 8 years, starting as a member of the professionalism working group, and later working as the group lead. Jeff has also been instrumental in the creation of the NBAA’s Dr. Tony Kern Professionalism in Aviation Award.

Jeff has also managed the NBAA National Safety Forum for four years and was Vice Chairman for two years. He was the Chairman of the NBAA Safety Committee until October 2022. Joining the NBAA Domestic Operations Committee in late 2022, he has been on the FAA Safety Team and a FAA Safety Team Representative for 17 years and received the FAA Safety Team Regional Award in 2017. Jeff also received the 2013 Bombardier Safety Standdown Eugene Cernan Aviation Safety Award and was recognized as a CAM Fellow by the NBAA in February 2024.

After graduating high school in June 1975 with no plan for what to do, Jeff joined the U.S. Navy. Upon graduation from recruit training, he was selected to be a Missile Fire Control Technician. He completed basic electricity and electronics training and Missile Fire Control Technician Class “A” School, and upon graduation, was assigned to the USS Reeves CG-24. Jeff worked on ships’ weapons systems and had several ancillary duties including pilot rescue swimmer, and was awarded the Good Conduct Ribbon, Sea Service Medal, Battle ‘E” Ribbon, and Enlisted Surface Warfare Qualifications. He received an honorable discharge from the U.S. Navy in July 1981.

Wofford started flying while on active duty. Received his private and commercial pilot certificates and instrument and multi-engine ratings in a little over eight months. Upon leaving active Duty in January 1980, Wofford moved to Conover NC. Started working on his CFI and CFII within a few weeks and received both by the end of February 1980. Wofford got his first aviation job in April of 1980 at Cannon Aviation in Hickory NC. Wofford started out as a flight instructor and moved into Part 135 Charter later that year. By the summer of 1981, he had his ATP and Multi-Engine Instructor Rating. Between late 1981 and early 1984, he was active as a flight instructor, charter pilot, and Chief Flight Instructor. Flying contract pilot services on a variety of aircraft from C-335/340s, C-441 Conquest, B-100 King Air and Model 23, 24, 25, and 35 Learjets.

Wofford moved into business aviation when he joined CommScope, Inc. in August 1984 as a First Officer for the company King Air and Learjet Aircraft. Promoted to Captain on the King Air B-100 in 1985 and in the Learjets in 1987. Then promoted to Assistant Chief Pilot in 1992 and to Chief Pilot in 1994. Wofford’s title was changed to Chief Pilot and Director of Aviation in 1997. Through the years, Wofford moved up into different aircraft, including most of the Learjet models and finally into Challenger 300s.

During his tenure with CommScope, the group received the 2007 Bombardier Aviation Department Safety Award. In 2012 CommScope Aviation completed IS-BAO Stage 1 Registration. Subsequently, the group received Stage 2 Registration in 2014 and our first Stage 3 Registration in 2016. Then they re-registered for Stage 3 again in 2022. CommScope has been on the NBAA Leadership Council since 2013. Wofford retired from CommScope in January 2023.

After leaving CommScope, he formed Flying W Aviation, LLC. Flying W Aviation is an aircraft management, consulting, and pilot service company. Wofford remains active and flies several airplanes, including a new PC-12 NGX, a Learjet 60, and a Beechcraft T-34-B Mentor.  Wofford remains involved with various industry organizations, primarily focusing on Aviation Safety and Professionalism. Becoming a regular presenter at the Bombardier Safety Standdown, NBAA BACE, GWBAA Safety Day, and CARRS Safety Day in Charlotte. Wofford hosts one of the largest FAA IA Renewal Seminars in the SE US each year. Maintaining his CFI and participating in local safety events. Wofford has had articles published in AIN On-line, BAI, and Mentor Monitor.