A little over 10 years ago, we began the search for a new western location. The need was driven by industry partners, customers, and a general feeling that Duncan Aviation needed a presence in the region. After establishing operations in 2010, we are now within 12 months of opening a new Duncan Aviation-caliber full-service maintenance and modifications hangar in Provo, Utah. Within 14 months of this first hangar opening, we will complete the rest of the nearly 280,000 square-foot campus, including a second maintenance hangar, full paint facility, all supporting back shops, and general customer/employee support areas.
Extending the full-service Duncan Aviation brand west is exciting for several reasons. This is the company’s first greenfield (completely from scratch) full-service construction effort in our 60-year history. We will be closer to longtime customers from all over the western United States. When the campus is up and running, we will have the world’s most innovative and environmentally friendly paint facility for business jet aircraft. All liquid discharge from the process will be evaporated, with minimal remaining solid waste hauled to licensed handlers. All vapor and airborne discharge from the process will be incinerated, using the very latest technology currently available. Our total discharge will be reduced by 98% from the conventional paint process widely used in the industry today. We have focused companywide on green initiatives for many years, and with the new technologies this construction allows us to put in place, this facility represents a quantum leap forward toward our core value of respecting our environment.
This is also an exciting time to be a Duncan Aviation team member! Building an entirely new facility from a native land means that we will need to fill virtually every job function that exists today in our other major facilities. We have been and will continue to work hard as we build an integrated team of experts with widely varied job functions. There are spots for every job from entry level technicians to senior master techs, managers, and team leaders to facilities specialists and customer service experts.
When we began operations in our current Provo facility in 2010, we used a formula of 1/3 seasoned, veteran Duncan Aviation team members, with 2/3 hired from elsewhere in the industry. That ratio proved to be successful at enabling us to quickly pass along the Duncan Aviation philosophy and culture to team members who were new to the company. We plan to follow the same ratio as we ramp up operations for the new campus. Our goal is to offer clients the same level of professionalism and quality service as they would receive at our other locations. They will see familiar faces, along with new. They will experience the same level of attention to detail and professionalism that they are accustomed to at our other locations. And their aircraft maintenance and modifications will be delivered to the same exacting Duncan Aviation standards they have come to appreciate over the years. First-time Duncan Aviation customers to Provo will experience a genuine welcome to the culture and the openness which defines us.
Here are some comments made by recent Duncan Aviation-Provo customers:
“Great crew. We look forward to future projects.” – Lane Clayson, Idaho Investments
“The team at Duncan Aviation-Provo did an excellent job with the 96-month inspection, which transitioned into a challenging pre-buy during the regular inspection. Project Manager Corey Johnston did an excellent job keeping me informed and the work order straight. The invoicing was challenging due to warranty, routine inspection, pre-buy to include buyer and seller, but Corey and the team did an excellent job of following through with any outstanding items and providing explanations for the charges or credits. All-in-all, it a great visit with some challenging moments that the Duncan Aviation team pulled off.” – Bob Baker
“Great crew in Provo and very accommodating. Even with extra squawks, the airplane was delivered on time! Thank you, Jason (Kinnan) and the whole crew!” - Kent Long
“From the top down to the newest tech, all have the best work ethic I have ever experienced in my 40+ years using service centers. As the job progresses and new issues are added to the work load, the can-do attitude is great. My only worry would be that I hope they get some time off! I would be happy to return.” - KC Kenzel
