For Tyler Harbach, both his religion and his family influenced his decision to get into the aviation industry. “I am from central Pennsylvania, and both of my grandfathers were employed at Piper Aircraft in Lock Haven,” Harbach stated. “I am a Christian, and growing up in the church I did, [I] had opportunities to interact with missionary trainees preparing to go into full-time ministry with New Tribes Missions, now known as Ethnos 360.”
Later in Harbach’s high school career, a missionary pilot came to his church, telling stories about how he helped operate an air ambulance service for a hospital in Africa. Inspired, Harbach would go on to attend LeTourneau University, graduating with a degree in Aeronautical Science, Missionary Aviation Concentration.
While at LeTourneau University, he earned his A&P and pilot’s certificates — commercial multi- and single-engine land, with an instrument rating. After college, he would be hired at Lycoming Engines where he received specialized, on-the-job training.
“I first started working at Lycoming in the production test cells. I worked there for about 15 months before moving to the experimental department. While there, I had opportunities to be a part of all sorts of research and development projects, where we were testing new engines, components, fuels, etc. In addition to that, I was also part of the crew that builds our performance, non-certified, Thunderbolt engine series. I worked in this department a little over two years before transferring to the Field Service Technical Support department in January of 2019, where I currently work. My normal job responsibilities consist of troubleshooting any and every engine issue via phone or email and traveling anywhere to support AOG customers onsite as required,” Harbach said.
Harbach notes his advanced training at Lycoming includes working in-depth with the development and implementation of the newest iE2 series of electronically controlled engines. “I had an opportunity to complete the Lycoming Engines Service School at the Pennsylvania College of Technology and have had much hands-on experience with the development and implementation of the new Lycoming EIS,” Harbach said. He has also received high performance, complex and tailwheel flight training endorsements, along with some spin training.
Harbach has co-instructed an abbreviated Lycoming Engines Teardown and Overhaul course at Airventure and has taught IA renewal courses at Sun ‘N Fun. He is also an active member of the Quarter to Two Flying Club, serving as a maintenance officer and working with friends in the club to help them achieve various pilot’s licenses and ratings.
