InSight Aviation

Welcome to Captain Chats from InSight Aviation Podcast w/ Retired DPE & United Capt Dan Petrovich. Sponsored by Wayman College of Aeronautics Welcome to our first Captain Chat! This is a continuation of what we used to do on Zoom during the pandemic, but now we’re back in person. We'll be hearing from alumni, pilots, and aerospace professionals who have been in the industry for a long time. Today, we have Captain Dan Petrovich with us. Captain Dan, would you like to introduce yourself? Dan Petrovich: Hi, I’m Dan Petrovich, a retired United Airlines Captain. I was with United for 37 years. I learned to fly at Opa Locka and come from a huge aviation family, much like yours, Wayman Eddy. Wayman Eddy: Thanks, Dan. I'm really excited to dive into your story. But first, for those who are new or joining us online, let me introduce who we are. We are Wayman Aviation Academy, now known as Wayman College of Aeronautics, based at North Perry Airport in South Florida, just between Fort Lauderdale and Miami. We teach students how to fly. Who here is learning to fly? Great, we have a room full of student pilots! The format for Captain Chats is to learn how these pilots got to where they are and what advice they have for aspiring aviators. We’ll do a 20-30 minute interview and then open it up to questions and answers, which I think is the most interesting part. So, let's start from the beginning. How did you get interested in aviation, Dan? Dan Petrovich: I grew up in Carol City, where we would see planes flying over Opa Locka all the time. My dad, who was in air conditioning and refrigeration, had an accident and, after winning a small lawsuit, decided to learn how to fly. He went from his first lesson to a commercial multi-rating in just 93 days. I watched him and eventually, he got hired by United Airlines in 1965 and retired in 1996. My dad wanted me to be a doctor and my brother to be an attorney, but neither of us was interested. I got a Navy ROTC scholarship to the University of Florida, but unfortunately, halfway through my first year, my dad ruptured three discs in his back and lost his FAA medical. I had to come home every weekend to help my family, which affected my grades and performance. My lieutenant commander advised me to finish the semester, drop the scholarship, and take care of my family, which was great advice. I got my old job back at Winn-Dixie, and within a year, I was an assistant manager. We moved to Plantation, and I checked out flight schools. I took three lessons at Opa Locka and got a job at a flight school pumping gas and cleaning windshields. Within six months, I had my private, multi, commercial, and instrument ratings, all in one day. Then I flew corporate and did a lot of flight instructing. Wayman Eddy: Wow, that's impressive! Now, many of our students are working on their private pilot licenses. Do you have any tips for them? Dan Petrovich: The private pilot license is the hardest because everything is new. You’re learning physics, math, and meteorology, and it's a lot to take in. Once you have a solid foundation, you can build on it quickly. As an examiner, I always emphasized the importance of understanding the new world you’re entering. It's challenging, but with a good foundation, you'll do well. Wayman Eddy: That's great advice. After getting your licenses, you went into flight instructing. How was that experience? Dan Petrovich: I loved it. I continued flight instructing throughout my career, even when I was with United. I eventually became a ground school and simulator instructor, a training captain, and an examiner. Teaching helped me learn more because I had to explain concepts clearly to students. Thank you, Captain Dan, for sharing your journey with us. We appreciate your time and insights. Thank you all for joining us today. Happy flying!

The InSight Podcast is now InFlight! We're off of Zoom and zooming around with pilots as we discuss How they got into Aviation, What they're doing now, and What YOU should be doing to start flying. In Season 3 Episode 1 we fly with Katie Koch. She is Procurement, Pilot Shop and Maintenance manager for Wayman Aviation Academy. She started flying young with a unique program. She was the most recent chairwoman for the Treasure Coast 99s, female pilots organization. And Katie is the proud owner of a Piper Warrior that she restored herself

In this episode we talk with Wayman Academy’s own Base Manager Graylin Stitt who is also a commercial pilot and engineer. He gives insight on the importance of sticking to your goals and not letting anyone talk you out of your goals, even if it is yourself. He is well known around the academy for his calm demeanor, helpful attitude and commitment to providing sound guidance to any student that needs it.

In this episode we welcome Wayman alumni Chris Mullins who is currently a First Officer at JetBlue. Chris was once a flight instructor at Wayman and offers some insightful advice on the importance of mentorship and the incredible transition to a major airline such as JetBlue.

In this episode we talk to Teressa Mastrosimone, a Wayman Alumni and the Senior Director of Training Center Operations at Atlas Air's Miami facility. She oversees their training center, training records, scheduling and hiring of new pilots and flight attendants.

In this episode we have the pleasure with speaking with Corporate Pilot & Aviation YouTuber Stevo1kinevo about his career as a TBM 850 pilot. He tells us about his unique path to becoming a pilot, flying for a part 121 carrier, eventually going into corporate flying and becoming a Flying Ambassador to The Bahamas. Also we speak about the importance of quality of life in an aviation career and a few interesting experiences he has had whilst flying the TMB 850. You can follow Stevo1kinevo here: YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/user/steveo1kinevo Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/steveokineevo/ Website - https://www.steveo1kinevo.com/

In this episode American Airlines Captain, Chief Pilot & Director of Flight Domingo Alfaro tells us about the responsibilities of a Chief Pilot & Director of Flight. We also learn how he got this position and about the massive demand for qualified pilots.

Captain Kimber Turner who now works in admissions at Wayman Academy talks about tips to get hired at your first pilot job, creative ways to build flight time and the lifestyle as a corporate pilot compared to that of a cargo pilot. 

Brian Hough Senior Vice President at King Schools brings his wealth of knowledge on developing aviation curriculums, insights into training efficiency, how best to serve a student, the pilot shortage and making collegiate education flexible for flight students.

How to get hired as a Flight Instructor w/ Assistant Chief Mario Culpepper at Wayman Aviation Academy. We speak about becoming a Certified Flight Instructor (CFI), ways to make learning effective and efficient, resume tips and suggestions on how to interview for your first CFI job.

In this episode we talk with Neshomar, a Medevac pilot from Bonaire flying Learjets around the Caribbean and South America. We talk about how he got involved in aviation and his flight training experience. He also tells us about his professional career path from flying the Twin Otter into challenging airports with short runways and the steep learning curve and fast paced environment of flying Learjets on Medevac flights.

In this episode we speak with Dr. Jorge Guerra, Director of Aviation & Safety Department at Florida Memorial University (FMU) in North Miami, Florida. He shares with us the different aviation programs they offer and the advantages of learning to fly in a college environment in regards to airline transport pilot minimum hour requirements.

In this episode we speak with Robert Arkin, a prolific fixed and rotary wing pilot from South Florida. We’ll talk about his aviation journey and the ins-and-outs flying to The Bahamas.

In this episode we talk with Carlos Rivera, SOC Duty Manager at National Airlines. National Airlines is a Part 121 cargo and charter airline based out of Orlando, Florida. We speak about how it is working in the operations center of an international airline and the complexity of managing the logistics of it all.

We are pleased to have Nina MacPherson Airport Manager at North Perry on our podcast! She has the important job of managing all affairs at North Perry Airport and has a wealth of knowledge and experience. Learn what it is like to be in charge of one of the busiest general aviation airports in the country.

S1.15 - Who doesn't love Tim Schmelzer? Tim is a very well known professor and pilot examiner in the SoFlo area and we were happy to have him on our podcast! Listen and learn from a very experienced DPE.  0:00 Introduction.  3:30 Talking about the history of Eig Watson school of Aviation (Miami Dade College).  5:05 Where did you go to college?  5:45 How did you get into Aviation?  7:45 What was your favorite part of flight training?  9:35 Talking about the ups & downs of the Aviation industry.  13:35 Discussing Tim’s journey and some tips for future Aviation students.  16:15 Talking about flight schools.  18:10 The mindset of a student, how to get things done and talking about scholarships.  24:30 How to get started in Aviation; discovery flights.  29:50 Did you have any mentors during your career?  33:30 Tips for future students and talking about being prepared.  38:25 How was the transition from a professor to being a pilot examiner?  41:00 The mindset in an emergency.  43:00 Talking about checkrides.  45:30 Viewer questions.

S1.14 - Rob is one of the lucky few who gets to fly Aerobatic aeroplanes including the Extra & Citabria. What is it like to be in his shoes and to work with world famous aviator Mike Goulian? Find out in this episode!   0:00 – 2:00 Introduction  2:43 How did you get interested in Aviation?  6:00 Talking about training airplanes and their pro’s and cons.  7:02 Where are you from originally?  7:50 Rob’s journey to working with Michael Goulian.  11:00 Talking about Michael Goulian aerobatic pilot.  12:05 Aviation interviews & check rides.  15:35 How many hours do you have now?  16:30 Talking about the Extra aerobatic airplane, the Blimp and aerobatic flying.  22:20 Should you jump into a Citabria or Extra first?  25:35 Why is flight experience important?  28:55 Short conversation about the pilot shortage.  30:20 Building experience as a pilot and talking about the process of being a safe pilot.  34:20 Keeping standards in Aviation.  35:50 Robs journey and his presentation about Aerobatic flying.  46:20 Viewer Questions:

S1.13 - United just announced a major order of airplanes for the coming few years. Edwin Garcia is a passionate pilot at United and he talks about his journey, the present and future outlook of the Aviation industry.  0:00-1:00 introduction  1:15 What is your role at United?  1:50 What routes did you fly?  3:20 Talking about United’s airplane order.  5:00 The different routes that United flies.  7:11 Will the 757/767 fleet be impacted by this large order of new aircraft?  9:40 What do you think about United’s investment in supersonic flight?  11:10 KTNT a supersonic jetport? 12:35 How did you get interested in aviation?  19:15 Why did you choose Broward College?  20:10 Talking about part 61 and part 141 training.  23:20 The office life versus the pilot life.  25:20 Aviation. The biggest industry with the smallest community.  26:10 Why you should get involved in Aviation.  28:00 Why you should join an Aviation organization.  29:00 Leadership and doing volunteer work.  32:00 Edwin’s journey to the cockpit.  41:00 Committed to Aviation.  44:10 Talking about getting a degree.  51:10 Viewer questions.

Interview with USAF Lieutenant Colonel Tim Sutton.

Interview with Captain Wayne from jetBlue where we discuss hireing, the pandemic and his aviation journey!

Cayman Airways pilot Giselah Ebanks also known on social media as @Flaps40_ How did this Caribbean student learn to fly and join her country's flagship airline. 

Interview with Miami Dade College, Eig Watson School of Aviation  chairman Orlando Villaverde Phd. Learn about the MDC program, Orlando's background as a Firefighter helicopter pilot and flight instructor

Tropic Ocean CEO Interview with Rob Ceravolo. Amphibious Caravan 121 charter flights from Miami and Ft Lauderdale to the Bahamas and Keys. Rob was a military pilot that went through F-14 Top Gun training. How did he come to aviation? What was his path to becoming a pilot. How did that prepare him for business and starting an airline? Rob has a lot of good advise for young pilots and what he likes to see on a resume

Cargo pilot and gold seal instructor Sheik joined Aviation InSight. We discussed his transition to the right seat of a 737 with 1500 hours to now flying the 777 as an First Officer. Here is the general breakdown of the questions we asked Sheik:  1.50: How did you get started in Aviation?  5.11: Was there a big difference between training in Guyana and in the USA?  10.35: How was it to balance flight training with college?  12.10: Day in the life of a Cargo Pilot  14.06: How was the transition from piston the heavy jets?  19.06: How was it to study for the transition to jets?  30.10: Why Miami Air?  39.40: What was the training process like at Southern?  45.49: How did your experience at Wayman help you in your career?  53.10: Scholarships in Aviation

1:00​ Welcome & Introduction.  2:36​ How did you get interested in Aviation?  7:00​ Language, communication and learning.  15:00​ How did you continue your flight training?  20:45​ Right into SkyWest; interview process.  24:10​ Newhire.net Steven’s idea for pilot recruiting.  30:00​ Talking about mentorship and asking for help.  32:40​ Did you have mentors during your period as a student?  35:00​ Why do you want to do this? Including Simon Sinek’s; Start with the Why.  35:50​ The transition from SkyWest to American Airlines and being all in.  37:30​ There will be obstacles during your flight training.  39:10​ What if it’s not in you? The Gritt?  40:00​ Talking about the Pandemic, how are you seeing it from your seat at the airlines?  44:30​ About our program, why start flying now!?  47:15​ Volunteer and stay current!  49:00​ Why you should speak English in Aviation.  50:40​ Aviation is an international career.  51:20​ Questions from viewers.  55:00​ Closing words from Steven and how to get in touch with him. 

1:00​ Welcome  2:00​ Who is Maria and how did she get into Aviation?  7:40​ How long was the process from Private to Instructor?   9:30​ Talking about female pilots.  10:24​  (Start part 2 due to technical problems) Talking about Instrument approaches  12:10​ What was your favorite lay-over?  13:40​ Was there a big culture difference when you landed in the middle-east as a female Captain?  15:35​ The pandemic and flying cargo.  17:30​ Viewers questions:   18:30​ How do you handle jetlag?  23:20​ How did you get involved with different non-profit aviation organizations?  28:40​ You flew Airbus and Boeing, which one do you prefer?  29:50​ What is the difference between training outside of the US?32.10: Can you tell us about your study habbits when you have a check ride coming up?  34:00​ How did you handle the “Caribbean time” mentality?  35:00​ Punctuality in Aviation.   36:40​ Words of wisdom