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Meet The Team

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President

Ethan Crane

Ethan Crane is an aviation enthusiast and a Messiah University graduate who earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering. Ethan achieved his Commercial Instrument Single-Engine and Multi-Engine fixed wing ratings, as well as his Commercial Helicopter rating, which he utilizes for helicopter rides, tours, and charter operations. Ethan is committed to his Faith and has accepted Jesus Christ as his personal Savior. The goal and mission for his life and for Chester County Aviation is to bring honor to the Lord through high-quality products and services, operational excellence and professionalism, and a dedicated life of service for Jesus. Ethan hopes to give back and support the aviation industry and our local community while providing others with mentorship, education, and opportunity.

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Operations Manager/Service Advisor

Connor Lapps

Connor attended Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in 2018 studying towards an Aeronautical Science degree. Afterward, he joined the USAF as a Tactical Aircraft Maintainer, working on the F16. Connor has his PPL and instrument rating and is continuing towards his CPL requirements. Connor likes to travel and spend time outdoors, throughout the year you’ll find him hunting, fishing, or playing golf. Aviation has become a big part of Connor’s life and he’s excited to see where it takes him.

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Director Of Maintenance (A&P, IA)

Peter Bargren

Peter has been an A&P mechanic for over 25 years, and an IA for over 10 years. He has worked on a variety of aircraft , ranging from single engine fixed wing to multi engine turboprops as well as both turbine and piston powered helicopters. He enjoys going camping, spending time with his family and coaching the kid’s mountain biking team.

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Customer Service Representative/Aircraft Sales Specialist

Patrick Locascio

Patrick’s love for aviation was inspired by his father, who was a boom operator for 28 years in the USAF. Patrick completed his Bachelors Of Science in Health Science, and Masters Of Business in Biopharmaceutical Commercialization. Patrick is looking forward to earning his ratings here at Chester County Aviation!

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Assistant Chief Instructor Pilot - Fixed Wing (CFI)

MacKenzie Harrison

Kenzie graduated from Eastern Mennonite University with a major in leadership and organizational management and an aviation concentration. She achieved all of her certificates and ratings in college, becoming a flight instructor to build hours. While instructing, she found her passion for teaching. When not flying, Kenzie is spending time with friends and family. Her favorite part of the job is seeing her students fall in love with aviation and complete their training just like she did!

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Instructor Pilot - Fixed Wing (CFII)

William Daloia

Bill has been living his dream of flying for over 20 years now. Bill is also also very thankful to have been able to assist others pursuing their dream of flying through instructing for the past 13 years. What a great reward to be able to fly, and to share the joy of their achievements.

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Instructor Pilot - Fixed Wing (CFII)

Corbin Tucker

Corbin completed his flight training at ATP and came to us as a flight instructor one year ago. He loves that flight instructing gives him the ability to meet new people while doing something he likes. In his free time he enjoys fishing and watching movies and hanging out with his friends and family.

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Instructor Pilot - Fixed Wing (CFI)

John Talley

John graduated from West Chester with a degree in Business Management and got his licenses at ATP and with us at Chester County Aviation. In his free time John enjoys hiking, scuba diving, and anything outside. He likes being a flight instructor because he is able to take what he learned and pass it on to his students while watching them become successful pilots and growing the industry.

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Instructor Pilot - Fixed Wing (CFII, MEI)

Steve Fortin

Bio Coming Soon!

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Instructor Pilot - Fixed Wing (CFI)

Kevin Jenkins

Bio Coming Soon!

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Instructor Pilot - Fixed Wing (CFI)

Jeff Schaefer

Bio Coming Soon!

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Instructor Pilot - Rotorcraft (CFII)

Darren Lucas

Bio Coming Soon!

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Instructor Pilot - Rotorcraft (CFII)

Kris Keller

Bio Coming Soon!

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Controller

Zach Clemens

Zach graduated Magna Cum Laude from Lancaster Bible College with a double major, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Bachelor of Arts in Biblical Studies. He is an inductee into Sigma Beta Delta, the International Honor Society for Business, Management, and Administration. He has owned and operated a landscaping business for 8 years and is thrilled to be working in the aviation industry. He enjoys baseball, hiking, fishing, travel, history, and serving as a percussionist on his church’s worship team.

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Customer Service Representative

Will Mikulich

Will attended West Chester University before continuing his flight training at Chester County Aviation. He has obtained his PPL and is working towards his instrument license. Will has been a volunteer Firefighter with Lionville fire company for 6 years, and loves to attend weekly training nights, as well as respond to emergency calls when available. His goal is to have a career in aviation as a pilot. He enjoys surfing at the beach year-round, riding dirt bikes, and hanging out with friends and family.

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Airframe and Powerplant Mechanic (A&P)

Austin Engel

Austin is a Robinson Helicopter Company factory-trained mechanic. He graduated from the Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics in Hagerstown, MD with an A&P Mechanic Certification. Austin enjoys fixing airplanes and keeping his hands busy with woodworking projects at home. Austin also spends lots of time fishing/hunting and serving at his church playing drums on the worship team.

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Chief Instructor Pilot - Fixed Wing (CFII, MEI)

Josh Wanagel

Joshua earned his pilot’s license in 1991 after unusually rigorous training from his older brother who is also a flight instructor. Since then Joshua has spent years flying single pilot IFR through challenging weather conditions in multiple airframes including Piper, Beechcraft, Cessna, Cirrus, and Mooney. His first career was running a successful materials testing laboratory and now he is moving on to a second career in aviation.

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Instructor Pilot - Fixed Wing (CFII)

Thomas Birsch

Tom has been flight instructing at CCA since 2010. Additionally, Tom has flown pipeline surveys for 6 years. Tom has also owned and managed a car parts business and walked dogs.

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Instructor Pilot - Fixed Wing (CFII)

Colby Stahl

Colby graduated from Ohio State University with a degree in Aviation Enginering. He has been a flight instructor with us for a year and a half and hopes to go to the airlines. Colby enjoys watching a variety of sports and playing computer games.

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Instructor Pilot - Fixed Wing (CFI)

Ella Hickey

Ella is a senior in college at Eastern Mennonite University in Lancaster, earning a B.S. in Leadership Management while completing her part 141 pilot ratings. When she isn’t flying, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends. Her favorite part of instructing is seeing her students achieve their personal goals. Ella is passionate about sharing her love of aviation through flight instructing and hopes to fly with you soon!

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Instructor Pilot - Fixed Wing (CFI)

Garret Hooper

Garret is a licensed Professional (Electrical) Engineer who studied at Drexel University. He has always had a passion for flying – obtaining his Private Pilot Certificate in 2013, teaching as a Ground Instructor at CCA since 2023, and obtaining his Instrument Airplane rating, Commercial Pilot, and Flight Instructor Certificates in 2024. Garret has spent years flying around the country, especially Oshkosh AirVenture, sharing time and experiences with fellow aviators, including a few years of building an experimental aircraft (Velocity XL-RG). Becoming an instructor allows him to give back to others and share the joy and excitement of flying!

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Instructor Pilot - Fixed Wing (CFII)

Bob Gober

Bob has been involved in aviation for the past 34 years, graduating from a part 141 school in 1990. The day after passing his CFII check ride was hired in Wilmington NC as an instructor, drove down, and was instructing the next day. Over the years Bob has been involved in flight instruction, Part 135 charter, and private air transport operations. “Spend time at the airport – unexpected and exciting flying opportunities happen on the ramp”

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Instructor Pilot - Fixed Wing (CFI)

Lee Paynter

Bio Coming Soon!

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Instructor Pilot - Rotorcraft (CFII)

Zach Farlow

Zach got his helicopter licenses at Updraft Aviation, Abella Aviation, and Smoketown Helicopters. He likes teaching students and watching them learn new skills, growing into successful pilots. In his free time, Zach enjoys woodworking and fishing.

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Instructor Pilot - Rotorcraft (CFII)

Jessica Robinson

Bio Coming Soon!

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Social Media Consultant

Shiloah Peterson

Bio Coming Soon!

Contact Us
610-384-9005

fly@chestercountyaviation.com

Open 7 days a week:

Monday-Sunday: 8-6

Locations

Chester County Airport (MQS)

1 Earhart Drive, Hangar 2

Coatesville, PA 19320

Lancaster Airport (LNS)

500 Airport Road

Lititz, PA 17543

By Appointment Only

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"And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose." - Romans 8:28

© 2025 by Chester County Aviation.

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