ATP Flight School Instructors Recognized by AOPA for 2023 Awards

ATP Flight Instructors Honored with AOPA 2023 Flight Training Experience Awards

Jacksonville Beach, FL — April 13, 2023

ATP Flight School is proud to announce that four instructors were recently recognized by AOPA for their excellence in flight training. Each year through its Flight Training Experience Survey, AOPA acknowledges the efforts of individual instructors who have made a meaningful impact on the aviation community and the betterment of student pilots by providing the highest tier of quality and professionalism in flight training.

2023 AOPA Distinguished Flight Instructors

For 2023, ATP CFIs Katherine Grones and Preston Harrison received the honor of Distinguished Flight Instructor by Region, along with ATP Flight Standards Manager Todd Shellnut. Representing the Pacific Northwest, Training Center Flight Standards Instructor William Crabtree was awarded Best Flight Instructor by Region. This distinct recognition makes William one of six instructors in the nation to receive the honor.

Congratulations, William, Todd, Katherine, and Preston, for this achievement!

My favorite part of instructing is introducing and teaching my future peers to a craft that they will hopefully love and enjoy for a lifetime. Aviation, to me, has become a lifestyle, not just a career. I enjoy seeing aviation becoming a passion for others, current and future aviators.

William Crabtree, Best Flight Instructor - Pacific Northwest Region

Best Flight Instructor - Pacific Northwest Region

William Crabtree

ATP Training Center Flight Standards Instructor

My favorite part of being a flight instructor is knowing I must learn my trade to be a great pilot! This is much easier when you are instructing and seeing how others learn. I learn something new each time I go on a flight with a student.

Todd Shellnut, Distinguished Flight Instructor

Distinguished Flight Instructor by Region

Todd Shellnut

ATP Flight Standards Manager

The most rewarding part of being a flight instructor at ATP is helping students achieve their goals and getting one step closer to where they want to be.

Katherine Grones, Distinguished Flight Instructor by Region

Distinguished Flight Instructor by Region

Katherine Grones

ATP Certified Flight Instructor

Seeing a student go from zero knowledge about aircraft and the world of aviation to developing a love of aviation and achieving their dreams is my favorite part of being a CFI!

Preston Harrison, Distinguished Flight Instructor by Region

Distinguished Flight Instructor by Region

Preston Harrison

ATP Certified Flight Instructor

ATP is incredibly proud of Katherine, Preston, Todd, and William, who represent the best of the industry, and their ATP colleagues for their dedication to their students' success while exemplifying ATP's core values of safety-focused decisions, consistent professionalism, and integrity with students' investment. Each embodies the shared commitment and responsibility of the entire ATP instructor group for training and developing the nation's next generation of airline pilots.

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About ATP Flight School Training Pilots Since 1984

ATP's Airline Career Pilot Program prepares pilots for airline careers from zero time to 1,500 hours, with CFI jobs and airline employment. Addressing the pilot shortage, airlines attract new pilots to the industry with ATP's Tuition Reimbursement Program, where airlines sponsor a portion of pilots' flight training loan repayment. ATP also provides type-rating and ATP CTP certification. ATP's 611 aircraft fly over 557,000 hours each year to provide over 12,800 FAA pilot certificates and ratings. As America's largest flight school, ATP is the leading supplier of professionally trained pilots to the nation's regional airlines.

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