OUR TEAM

All adult team members of the Teen Aviation of New Jersey - Aircraft Build Program are required to complete a Youth Protection Training course, including a criminal history background check. 

Program Managers

Program managers are responsible for the long-range planning of the program including budgeting and ordering sub-kits and supplies, as well as interacting and coordinating with parents and guardians, outside agencies, and individuals who support the program.  They also maintain the program records and plan and supervise the day-to-day operations of the aircraft builds.

• Robin Zetkulic: Licensed Professional Counselor, former high school math teacher, President and Chairman of the Board of Joy To The Child, Incorporated

• Joseph G. Zetkulic: Jr., Retired military officer and instructor pilot (LtCol), retired commercial airline captain with American Airlines, Certified Flight Instructor-Airplane and Instrument, FAA Certified Repairman Light Sport Aircraft-Maintenance Rating, Secretary/Treasurer and Member of the Board of Directors of Joy To The Child, Incorporated, currently building a Van’s Aircraft RV-8

• John Ahrens: Retired naval officer, Design Support Specialist with Lockheed Martin in Moorestown NJ, private pilot, currently building a Pietenpol Air Camper with son Brian

Program Technical Advisor

Periodic inspections of the aircraft during construction by a Technical Advisor are required for Federal Aviation Administration certification of the aircraft after completion of a build.

•  John Panchesine: Private pilot, FAA Certified Airframe and Powerplant Mechanic, builder of a Van’s Aircraft RV-12ULS

Program Mentors

Program mentors work directly with the students to oversee construction of the aircraft in line with the concept of “mentors teach, students do.”  The ratio of students to mentors is two students to one mentor.  Program managers are also mentors.

• Brian Ahrens: Commercial multi-engine pilot, currently building a Pietenpol Air Camper with father John

• Ethan Lydon: FAA Certified Airframe and Powerplant Mechanic, KC-46 Field Service Representative with Boeing Aircraft, private pilot, retired military aircraft systems instructor and flight engineer, owner of a Mooney aircraft

• Alan Mkitarian: Member of the Academy of Model Aeronautics, industry experience in the design and building of electro-mechanical equipment

• Alasdair Nugent: News Helicopter Cameraman, private pilot, currently building a Rutan Aircraft Factory Long-EZ

• Howard Lewis: Local businessman, 46 years in the lighting industry, Member Board of Directors of the National Lighting Bureau, Member Board of Managers for the Philadelphia Section of the Illuminating Engineering Society (IES). Currently involved with the refurbishing of a 1943 Boeing Stearman 450