InSight Aviation: Retired DPE & United Capt Dan Petrovich Reveals All

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.
Wayman Eddy: That's wonderful. Your career is truly inspiring. Now, you’ve come full circle, working as an examiner and mentoring the next generation of pilots. What drives you to keep teaching and mentoring?
Dan Petrovich: I love teaching and coaching. I’ve coached youth sports for many years and helped many kids get college scholarships. Teaching allows me to give back and help others succeed. It’s about paying it forward. The aviation community is generous, and I want to continue that tradition.
Wayman Eddy: Thank you, Dan. Your story and insights are invaluable. Let's open it up to questions from our audience. Feel free to ask anything you’d like to know about Dan’s career or aviation in general.
Q&A Session:
Student 1: How did you transition from corporate flying to the airlines?
Dan Petrovich: I got a call from United Airlines in November. I had to retake my writtens and had an interview three weeks later. Despite some challenges, including a strike, I started with United in May 1985 and stayed there for 37 years.
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!