Penn College aviation students ‘soar’ at competition
Wednesday, March 26, 2025
Photos by Thomas D. Inman, retired aviation faculty member
A foursome of Pennsylvania College of Technology aviation students “soared” above other schools at a national competition conducted at the Aircraft Electronics Association International Convention & Trade Show in Phoenix.
The inaugural AEA Avionics Skills Competition tested knowledge and hands-on abilities in five skill areas. The Penn College aviation maintenance technology students – Steven M. Gautsch, of East Berlin; Jocelin I. Kinsey, of State College; Josh E. McGill, of Budd Lake, New Jersey; and Braydon C. Wise, of York – collectively scored more points than the other three schools participating.
Pennsylvania College of Technology students successfully showcased their talent at the recent Aircraft Electronics Association Avionics Skills Competition in Phoenix. The Penn College foursome accumulated the most points among the four schools participating in the inaugural event. The students competed individually at five skill stations that tested their avionics knowledge. From left: Josh E. McGill, of Budd Lake, New Jersey; Jocelin I. Kinsey, of State College; Braydon C. Wise, of York; and Steven M. Gautsch, of East Berlin. All four students are majoring in aviation maintenance technology.
Individually, Kinsey scored the most points among all 15 competitors. Wise, Gautsch and McGill finished fourth, fifth and sixth, respectively, in the overall standings. For the skill stations, Wise recorded a win (network troubleshooting), a second-place finish (troubleshooting a GPS radio) and a third-place showing (digital logic diagram). McGill won the wiring harness category, and Kinsey claimed third in troubleshooting a wire diagram.
“The four students exemplify Penn College’s aviation program with their relentless pursuit for a better understanding of all things aircraft related,” said Matthew D. Krepps, aviation instructor. “Their outstanding performance is a direct result of their consistent effort in the classroom, labs and hangar. They continually demonstrate that grit and perseverance are the surest pathways to maximum success. I’m so pleased that they have utilized every opportunity that has been presented to them through the years.”
Krepps accompanied the students with Thomas D. Inman, a retired aviation faculty member.
“This was the first competition of this type in the avionics field. The fact that Penn College was able to make such a strong showing speaks well of the college, faculty and students,” Inman said.
Kinsey (at left) troubleshoots a Garmin GTN750 integrated avionics system wiring harness. Students had to strip, crimp and connect a wire harness used for testing connectors. Wise (in background left) takes in the competition scene.
The skill stations required the following of students: Strip, crimp and connect a wire harness used for testing connectors; identify and resolve faults in a Garmin GTN750 avionics system; interpret a digital logic diagram to determine the correct output in a digital circuit; use a multimeter to find faults in a wire harness based on provided wiring diagrams; and utilize a digital networking analyzer to detect faults in a digital databus.
Prizes included industry tools and promotional merchandise provided by sponsors of the competition.
“I am incredibly proud of our students and their dedication,” said Ali L. Lorson, assistant dean of transportation technologies. “They put in a tremendous amount of effort to prepare for this challenging event, and their hard work is evident in the outstanding results they achieved.”
In addition to the competition, the students attended the AEA International Convention & Trade Show, the largest gathering of general aviation avionics manufacturers, distributors and government-certified repair stations in the world.
For information on Penn College’s bachelor’s degree in aviation maintenance technology, associate degree in aviation technology and aviation maintenance technician certificate, as well as other majors offered by the School of Engineering Technologies, call 570-327-4520.
Penn College is a national leader in applied technology education. Visit www.pct.edu, email the Admissions Office or call toll-free 800-367-9222.
McGill (left) reviews documents for the network structure of an on-board, in-flight entertainment system network. This station required students to use a digital networking analyzer to find faults in a digital databus. Gautsch (right) examines documents to determine if an avionics wiring interconnect schematic has been designed accurately.