Expert

Sheryl Clarke SMS-I, CISP, ASTM

Director of Safety and Security

Jet Linx Aviation

Sheryl Clarke currently serves as the Director of Safety and Security at Jet Linx Aviation, one of the largest U.S. Part 135 Charter on Demand Certificate Holders. She oversees multiple programs at Jet Linx including SMS, IEP, ASAP, FOQA, Emergency Response, Security, HazMat and Company Safety. Jet Linx has 19 bases, operates globally and is Wyvern Wingman, Argus Platinum and IS-BAO Stage 3 certified. Sheryl applies her 30-plus years of aviation experience (military, Part 121 and Part 135) not only leading safety at Jet Linx, but also in supporting and leading a cohort of Part 135 and Part 91K operators working closely together to develop and share best practices in operating issues such as fatigue, pandemic management, emergency response and enhancing flight safety to name a few.

As a highly knowledgeable leader with in-depth SMS experience, she has led the implementation of SMS programs at ExpressJet Airlines, United Airlines Airport Operations division and Jet Linx Aviation. She is currently co-leading the implementation of a new NATA/FAA pilot SMS group whose outputs will be used to define the final rule for SMS in Part 135 and 145 operations.  Some of Sheryl’s philosophy regarding successful integration of SMS was published in the Spring 2020 National Business Aviation Association magazine.

Sheryl is the co-chair of the NATA Safety committee and a 2020 recipient of the Tony Kern Professionalism award. Her expert knowledge of safety and SMS across Flight Operations, Maintenance Operations and Airport Operations made her an ideal choice to help refine the 5-day prestigious SMS training course at the DOT Transportation Safety Institute. As a contributing developer of the curriculum for Part 135 and 145 operations, she is an affiliate instructor assisting in teaching and collaborating with industry operators (air, FBO, Federal agency.)

Before dedicating her time to safety and quality, Sheryl was the manager of Flight Standards at ExpressJet Airlines and led a cadre of more than 175 check Airmen in the conduct of Initial Operating experience for Captains and First Officers, administering Line Checks, and developing and implementing flight-deck-based coaching programs for RNAV arrivals and departure procedures. She was part of the FAA working group developing and implementing RNAV STARs for Denver and Houston when procedures were being initially implemented. 

With previous experience as the FAA Part 119 Accountable Safety employee at ExpressJet Airlines and extensive experience integrating flight safety initiatives and CFR Part 5 SMS programs, Sheryl has a wealth of experience.  She started her aviation career as a United States Air Force Academy cadet in the class of 1982. After graduation, she became a First Assignment Instructor Pilot in the USAF at Laughlin AFB and eventually transitioned to flying the KC-135A Strato-tanker. Her career in the Air Force culminated after the First Gulf War ended in 1991. After a stint in private business developing finance and program management skills, she returned to aviation as a pilot at Continental Express in 1998 and has been part of commercial aviation ever since. She has held leadership positions at ExpressJet Airlines, United Airlines and Jet Linx Aviation.

With a passion for system-based safety and its critical role in operations, Sheryl is a highly competent leader and decision maker related to balancing safety, compliance and quality against operating efficiency, cost, and customer satisfaction.  Extensive flight and Check Airman experience in conjunction with Operations and safety management skills, Sheryl is highly respected by each FAA Certificate Management Office with which she has liaised and has a deep business acumen in aviation and safety management.