Private ATP at Jacksonville, ACPP 90-Day at Jacksonville
August 5, 2009 from Michael Lovern

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From: Michael Lovern <---@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, Aug 5, 2009 at 7:15 PM
Subject: Testimonial
To: jim@allatps.com


Dear Jim,

I wanted to take this opportunity to express my gratitude towards
everyone at ATP in Jacksonville who helped me accomplish my
dream. Ever since I was a child, I wanted to follow in my
father's footsteps and become a pilot. After researching and
visiting several flight schools, I made the decision to go to the
Jacksonville ATP location. I started from the Private Pilot
Program and worked my way through the Airline Career Pilot
Program. I never thought I would have obtained all my ratings in
such a short period of time without the help of your exceptional
instructors. I would definitely recommend your program to anyone
out there who has the same dream as myself. I started out with
nothing but a minimal amount of knowledge and 6 months later, ATP
molded me into the professional pilot I am today.

I would like to personally thank all the instructors who helped
me through the program. In the beginning of my journey through
the program, my first instructor was Rich Tillery. Rich taught me
a lot about ADM and how the mind is the most important tool a
pilot can carry. I also learned about handling extreme pressure
situations and staying focused in worst case scenarios. Rich
built my foundation on "always flying the plane". After receiving
expert instruction from Rich Tillery, he soloed me on January 30,
2009. From that moment on, I could feel my passion for aviation
and reality coming closer.

After soloing, I was given a new instructor for cross country
training checkride prep, Clay Reynolds. Clay helped me to fine
tune my skills and to gain knowledge in ground school, that of
which aided in me obtaining my private pilot rating. I received
my private certificate on March 3, 2009. At that point, I could
finally call myself a pilot.

I started my instrument time building in the Diamond Star, an
incredible airplane to say the least. The Diamond Star has state
of the art glass and was a sleek, sharp looking aircraft that
made learning instruments even more fun.

After I finished my time building, I was able to go on my break
between the private and career program. When I returned back
home, the first thing I did was take my father's Cessna 172 on a
short cross country to Okeechobee airport. This flight was very
special and not because I could fly anywhere I wanted carrying
passengers. It was special because I carried my first passenger,
my wife. We had a lunch date in a restaurant at Okeechobee
airport. You could call it the $100 hamburger that I'll never
forget!

Upon returning to Jacksonville from my break, I was assigned my
new instructor for the Airline Career Pilot Program, Christopher
King. Chris was a phenomenal instructor who taught me through the
private multi-instrument part of the program. He made flying the
simulator and aircraft a fun and challenging experience.

After I received my multi-engine add on, I started my instrument
training. The instrument training was by far the most challenging
part of the program, in my opinion. I felt blessed to have Chris
as my instructor. He pushed me hard and kept me motivated every
day. Chris' abundance of knowledge, passion, and experience
taught me so much in the program that I could see things coming
together a lot faster than I thought. After countless nights of
sim sessions and studying, the reward of receiving my instrument
rating was indescribable. I was overwhelmed with joy and I owe it
all to Chris King.

The next phase of the program was the cross countries. I feel
that there is no better way to gain experience in an aircraft
than the way airline pilots do it. IFR cross countries as a crew.
It was by far, the most fun and exciting thing I've experienced.
Not only did I get to experience real time weather and fly in
actual IMC, but I got a taste of the life of an airline pilot.
Layovers in different places, meeting new people, and eating
authentic food from the states we visited. In Louisiana, I had my
first cajun food meal. I had a blast everywhere I went! ATP
really progressed me throughout the program and I surely enjoyed
every minute of it.

When I finished my cross countries, I started my commercial
traning, which brings me to the next instructor I'd like to
thank, Eric Bottomley. Given the short amount of time I had to
dust off VFR flying and get back in the mind set of stick and
rudder, Eric Bottomley and his superior instruction put me back
in the saddle. Eric has a great sense of motivating and
preparation for teaching in such a small time frame. I thank Eric
for helping me through the commercial multi and single engine
training.

When I finished my commercial training and received my rating, it
was time for CFI school to start. Matt Blythe was my instructor
during this last part of my journey. I'm not quite sure if I even
have enough words to describe how incredible of an instructor
Matt was. He was a mentor to me through the CFI program. I called
Matt numerous times with questions about airplanes, instructing,
and life in general. I feel really fortunate to know and have met
Matt. I thank Matt for all of his efforts and wisdom.

Last but not least, I would like to thank chief pilot, John
Amico. He encouraged me, motivated me, and gave me all kinds of
valuable advice throughout the program. During the program, you
have your share of ups and downs and you will experience
frustration and delight. I believe this is natural and is all
part of becoming a professional pilot. John Amico helped me
realize these things. I wouldn't take back any of those moments
and am very grateful I had someone like John for support during
my time in Jacksonville.

If I was given the opportunity, I would be honored to represent
your company. During the CFI program, I discovered I had a
passion and fondness for teaching other students. I truly feel a
fulfillment by helping others with the knowledge I have gained
from ATP. This experience has been the most challenging, yet
phenomenal part of my life so far. I hope that anyone who reads
my testimonial will be encouraged to pursue their aviation dream
as I did and go through the training at ATP.

Sincerely, Michael Lovern

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