Private ATP at Panama City, ACPP 141 VA Fast Track at Panama City
September 2, 2009 from Kaj Petersen

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From: Kaj Petersen <---@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, Sep 2, 2009 at 4:15 PM
Subject: My Recent Experience with ATP PFN
To: jim@allatps.com

Jim Koziarski,

I am writing to you to inform you of my recent experience as a
student with ATP at Panama City and to give some insight as to
the professionalism of the instructors and the training
environment.

My name is Kaj Petersen and I am a graduate of the Airline Career
Pilot Program although I didn't complete the CFI stage for
personal and occupational reasons.  My training began as a zero
time student on 6 April, 2009 and I completed the SEL commercial
certificate on 24 August, 2009, well within the projected 5 month
training schedule when you take into account that I was leaving
for four days at a time every month to fulfill my National Guard
duty.  My primary instructors through the course were Mike Smith
(SEL Private and Commercial), Dave Rutenburg (SEL Private Time
Building), Dan Bosetti (MEL Private, Instrument Airplane, and MEL
Time Building), and Dave Gallas (MEL Commercial) however I also
flew and interacted with Matt Carrescia, and Glen Howell on more
than one occasion.  When I started the program I was also a
commercial helicopter pilot for the Army, trained at Fort Rucker,
AL.

The ATP part 141 training program at Panama City is a very
intense and arduous program that is greatly eased by the
professionalism of the instructors.  Through every stage of the
training the instructors were always willing to give additional
time whether it was given by my assigned instructor or otherwise.
 Each were exceptional in their knowledge and their abilities to
train to standard and above.  The instructors took their jobs
seriously and approach students respectfully.  Dan Bosetti had
been very attentive and patient every step of the program.  Dan
was very patient and insightful with me while I was working to
break the "helicopter-isms" from my former training.  Dan would
spend additional time quizzing me on oral knowledge and
explaining not only the "how" of flight maneuvers, but also the
"why" and how each maneuver built upon the others; a training
concept that I had not experience from the Army.  Through my Army
Flight training I had struggled with apathetic flight instructors
who really had no incentive to ensure knowledge, ability, and
understanding of the students.  The Army's philosophy was very
much "if you can't cut it, your gone!"  The flight instructors at
ATP Panama City were always professional and gave me the
impression that they really cared about my training as well as
the other student's training.

The flight training program, as I alluded to earlier, is a
difficult and intense program that invokes a great deal of stress
at times from all parties involved.  It demands not only the
professionalism of the instructors, but also the determination of
the students in order to create a training environment that is
constructive, relaxing, and respectful.  As the student, I would
ensure my commitment to the instructors through punctuality and
preparation.  On average I spent 7 days a week and 10 - 12 hours
a day at the school either working with the instructors or
studying on my own or with other students.  That time at the
school established the respect between myself and the instructors
required for an open and constructive training environment.  Each
of the instructors I worked with had worked to maintain that
environment by being insightful to the students needs by finding
other ways of explaining concepts and teaching flight maneuvers,
offering other resources for study, or by consulting other
instructors in order to maintain a relaxing and constructive
atmosphere.  In my training with Dan Bosetti, I had noticed that
he would change his approach in training to ensure that I wasn't
becoming frustrated or stagnant.  Some clear examples of this
were by having me instruct a portion of ground training to him
through Power Point presentation, allowing me to make the minor
mistakes in flight so that I can see the trickle down affects of
the outcome, and encouraging discussion and flight time with
other instructors.  I found his training methodology to offer
fresh perspective that allowed for self realization and
correction.  As I mentioned above, I had also worked with and
flown with instructors that were not my primary instructors. I
had found that training with multiple instructors was an
extremely useful opportunity no matter how brief the time spent.
 Matt Carrescia, Glen Howell, and Dave Gallas had offered both
technique and insight in flight as well as a different approach
to concepts that influenced my overall greater understanding and
ability.  The training environment at ATP Panama City is
successful because the instructors operate as a team not only
between the students but amongst the other instructors creating a
constructive, relaxing, and respectful training environment.

My experience at ATP has been awesome!  I have completed the
course with the confidence and knowledge I need to continue my
career in aviation and I owe Dan Bosetti and all the instructors
at ATP, Panama City a great deal of gratitude for their efforts.

Very Respectfully,
Kaj W. Petersen

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