Our Team

Ethan Crane

President

Ethan Crane has been involved in aviation most of his life and is a graduate of Messiah University located in Mechanicsburg, PA where he earned a B.S. degree in Mechanical engineering. Ethan has 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 point others 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, as well as our local community, while providing others with mentorship, education, and opportunity.

 

 

Zach Clemens

Controller

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 5 years and is thrilled to be working in the aviation industry. He enjoys baseball, hiking, fishing, travel, history, serving as a percussionist on his church’s worship team.

Flight Operations

Josh Wanagel

Chief Instructor Pilot – Fixed Wing; CFI-IA, MEI

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. 

 

 

Jessica Robinson

Chief Instructor Pilot – Rotorcraft; CFI-IA, MEI

At age 17, Jessica started her adventure of becoming a pilot in Lancaster flying a Bell 47. She obtained her private pilot license in helicopter and airplanes, and then moved to Texas for university. Five years later, she returned to PA with a husband and two small children in tow. She has expanded her career to include jets. Jessie is passionate about giving others the opportunity to achieve their goals in aviation, whether that’s a discovery flight or becoming a full-time pilot!

 

Thomas Birsch

Assistant Chief Instructor Pilot – Fixed Wing; CFI-IA

Tom has been flight instructing at CCA since 2010. Additionally, Tom has flown pipeline survey for 6 years. Tom has also owned and managed a car parts business and walked dogs. Tom is now serving in a management capacity as assistant chief flight instructor.

Darren Lucas

Director of Flight Operations – Rotorcraft

 
 

Nicholas McBride

Director – Training; CFI-IA, AGI, IGI

Nicholas is a graduate of Rocky Mountain College in Billings, MT where he earned a B.S. in Aeronautical Science. Nicholas minored in Organizational Leadership and Aircraft Dispatch where he earned his Aircraft Dispatcher Certificate. Nicholas has achieved his Commercial Instrument Single-Engine and Multi-Engine ratings. Nicholas was also a recipient of an Aeroclub of Pennsylvania Scholarship and hopes that being a CFI can give back and help others the way he got help.

Instructor Pilots

Steve Fortin

Flight Instructor; CFI-IA, MEI

 
 

Bill Daloia

Flight Instructor; CFI-IA

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. 

 

 

Lee Paynter

Flight Instructor; CFI-IA

 
 

Kevin Jenkins

Flight Instructor; CFI

 
 

Jeff Schaefer

Flight Instructor; CFI

Jeff has a passion for teaching students with a focus on safety. He especially loves helping students through difficult parts of their training. He has been an instructor at CCA since 2008.
 
 

Bob Gober

Flight Instructor; CFI-IA

 
 

Samr Morcos

Flight Instructor; CFI-IA

 
 

Melissa Shrewsbury

Flight Instructor; CFI

 
 

Will Merrill

Flight Instructor; CFI-IA

 
 

Kris Keller

Flight Instructor; CFI-IA, MEI

I was born and raised in central Pennsylvania, and have many memories of visiting airports and occasionally flying with friends and family. I began flight training in 2013 and immediately fell in love with the challenges and new experiences that aviation has brought into my life. Over the years I have become particularly fascinated with the critical roles that helicopters bring to those in need. Being a flight instructor has allowed me to a part of something very special, and I’m proud to watch my students knowledge, confidence, and experience culminate in realizing their dreams of becoming a pilot.

Aaron Blain

Flight Instructor; CFI

 
 

MacKenzie Harrison

Flight Instructor; CFI

 
 

Garret Hooper

Ground Instructor; AGI, IGI

 
 

Colby Stahl

Flight Instructor; CFI

 
 

Maintenance

Peter Bargren

Director of Maintenance

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.
 

Connor Lapps

Operations Manager

Connor attended Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in 2018 studying towards an Aeronautical Science degree. Afterwards 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. 

Austin Engel

Airframe and Powerplant Mechanic

Austin Graduated from the Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics in Hagerstown, MD with A&P Mechanic Certification. Austin enjoy fixing airplanes and keeping my hands busy with woodworking projects at home. Austin also spend lots of time fishing/hunting and serving at his church playing drums on the worship team.

Jake Sarac

Airframe and Powerplant Mechanic

Jake has been a mechanic for 8 years and has been in the aviation industry for 5 years. His experience ranges from GA aircraft, racecars, boats and anything else that has moving parts. In his spare time, Jake likes to build and race cars, travel and find the best food spots. His love for aviation has grown over the years and will continue as far as he can see. 

Ethan Moyer

Airframe and Powerplant Mechanic; IA

Customer Service

Jacob Nee

Customer Service Representative

 Jake has been involved in aviation for 5 years, being an avid warbird enthusiast and attending every airshow he can. Jake is currently working thorough his pilot ratings and certificates. In his free time you can find him trying new restaurants in town, spending time with friends and around the airport soaking in all the aviation knowledge he can.