Submitted by Curt Campbell, avionics tech rep

There have been many articles and videos in the Duncan Intelligence over the years, written and produced by tech reps and technicians at Duncan Aviation about the proper care and maintenance of an aircraft gyro. 

However, it wasn't long ago that I got a call from an operator who was having precession errors and failures to erect on his gyro. It didn't take long for me to figure out that the cause of his issue was the result of the gyro not being allowed enough time (20 minutes) to spool-down before the aircraft was moved.

He stated his crew wasn't aware of this required spool-down time. This oversight unfortunately required a complete overhaul of the gyro, costing several thousand dollars.

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Time for another reminder..

I encourage you to share this information with all personnel tasked with aircraft movement/maintenance in your company. Below are links for your use. You can bookmark them for future reference.

Gyro Handling Care

(VIDEO) How To Care For Your Aircraft Gyro: Proper Spool-Down Time
(VIDEO) How to Care for Your Aircraft Gyro: Handle Like Eggs
Proper Handling of Your Gyroscope

Gyro Shipping Procedures

Critical Shipping Procedures When Transporting An Aircraft Gyroscope
Critical Shipping Procedures: Two-Box Shipping Method

Gyro Maintenance

What are Electrolytic Leveling Switches and Why Should You Care?
What Happens During an L-3 Vertical Gyro Overhaul?
Recommended Service Bulletins for L-3 Vertical Gyros
Recommended Service Bulletins for Honeywell Vertical and Directional Gyros
What Happens During an L-3 Vertical Gyro Overhaul?

Gyro Exchange Units

Honeywell Aerospace VG14A Gyro SPEX Exchanges

Duncan Intelligence

You can get technical articles like these in your in-box every month by subscribing to the Duncan Aviation Duncan Intelligence. 

Contributed by Nate Klenke, completion sales rep

Ever wonder what happens during the first few days your business jet is in getting a new exterior paint?   

During the earliest stage of the repainting process the aircraft is prepared for the existing paint to be removed. After all composites and other areas on the aircraft are protected, a yellowish peroxide-based stripper is applied and then the paint just begins falling off.

To the casual observer, your jet appears to be sitting around waiting with very little activity. But in reality quite a lot is happening. You just have to be patient and wait…and watch…a long time…nearly two days. But don’t blink, you could miss something.

Seriously, unless you have time to hang out for a weekend at a Duncan Aviation paint facility, you’ll just have to take my word that paint stripping magic is happening.

After a quick scrub, second application and a rinse to neutralize the stripper, all of the protective taping is removed and your aircraft is ready for the next step towards its new look.

Video Magic

Over this past weekend we captured a Citation 560 Excel at our Lincoln Nebraska, facility as it began the paint-stripping process.

We shortened and sped up this two-day event into a 60 second video. But don’t blink; you still could miss something.  

Taking operator cost concerns to heart, Duncan Aviation and Honeywell Aerospace have worked together to develop efficiencies for Honeywell SPEX exchanges on the VG14A gyro that allow Honeywell to drop the exchange price of that unit by half.

"Operators prefer the value and quality of the Honeywell SPEX exchange for the VG14A gyro, but have provided feedback that they would like a lower exchange cost," says Kevin Miesbach, manager of Duncan Aviation's Avionics and Instrument Shop, which performs overhaul and recertification for all Honeywell SPEX VG14A exchanges. "Honeywell and Duncan Aviation collaborated and developed service efficiencies that allow for more value with the SPEX exchange on that unit."

Starting in April, operators will be able to receive the VG14A Honeywell SPEX exchange (part number PN7000622-901)for $5,500, half off the former rate of $11,000. However, customers who buy the exchange unit will still receive the same reliable, high-quality Honeywell unit backed by a full one-year unlimited warranty, Honeywell's liberal "no billback" guarantee and Duncan Aviation's excellent 24/7 customer service complete with same-day shipping and no AOG fees.

To purchase a Honeywell VG-14A SPEX exchange, call Duncan Aviation's Parts Sales at +1 402.475.4125 or 800.228.1836.

Contributed by Brian Redondo, satellite avionics manager

I have heard from several customers who are upset after receiving a Wi-Fi bill larger than expected, some considerably larger.

I’ve had to explain that all Portable Electronics Devices (PEDs for short, such as laptops, tablets and phones) brought on board an aircraft are factory-set to automatically sync and grab updates as soon as they connect to an available Wi-Fi hotspot. And it only takes one device on a cross-country trip to create an ugly bill.

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The default on PEDs is set at the factory to automatically conserve data. What this means is that apps are updated and photos/videos are pushed to the cloud only when they are connected to Wi-Fi.

Let me give you an example. Let’s say you are out walking around with your smartphone on 4G and using it as normal. You stop into your local Starbucks® and your phone finds their Wi-Fi and automatically connects. The pictures you took of your kids while walking in the park are pushed up to the cloud and the latest update to Candy Crush® begins to download. When you leave and the Wi-Fi drops off, you are back to low data usage.

The problem arises when you get on an aircraft and connect to the most expensive Wi-Fi on the planet! Because your PED is set up by default to use the Wi-Fi for big download tasks, that game update just cost you $35 and syncing a video of your kids playing on the swingset to the cloud could be upwards of $1,000.

Most people don’t realize these devices are factory-set in this manner or didn’t think of the impact it would have on the aircraft Wi-Fi bill. The good thing is there are several ways to keep the bills in check.

Gogo® Business Aviation (formerly known as Aircell) helps to block some of these services in order to keep the data charges more reasonable, but unfortunately not all can be blocked. Google Play, Apple Store and iCloud are the notorious offenders and are not able to be blocked. However, most computer backup services such as Carbonite, antivirus software auto updates, browser updates and those pesky ever-present java updates are blocked by Gogo® Biz (also known as the ATG-2000/4000/5000).

Gogo® Business Aviation now provides SwiftBroadband service and has three optional levels of filtering to help control your costs. Contact a Gogo® Business Aviation representative for more information.

Those using Satcom Direct for SwiftBroadband service can opt in to their SkyShield service. This service offers several levels of data filtering or you can request custom filtering as well. Ask your SatCom Direct representative for more information.

Another simple step is to put any unused devices in Airplane Mode or to simply shut them off. Open Wi-Fi networks should also be avoided as tablets and phones may automatically connect to an open network, add a simple password such as the tail number to prevent unwanted devices from connecting. Remember it takes just one device on one trip to cost you a lot of money.

Below are short, simplified steps you can take on your Android or Applie device to avoid another outrageous Wi-Fi bill. Please understand that because there are different versions of iOS and Android, your device may require different action. If that is the case, consult the User’s Guide for your device.

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PREVENTING THE AUTOMATIC UPLOAD OF PHOTOS AND VIDEOS

General Instructions for an Android phone and tablet

	1. Go to your photos folder where all of the photos and videos are stored on your device.
	2. Tap on Settings (three dots in upper right corner).
	3. Tap on Auto Backup.
	4. Shut off Auto Backup. This will end the automatic uploading of your photos when taking new ones.

General Instructions for an Apple iPhone and iPad

	1. Go into Settings.
	2. Tap iCloud. 3. Tap Photos (If you have iCloud Drive set up, you can shut this off here as well).
	4. Turn off My Photo Stream

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TURNING OFF AUTOMATIC APP UPDATES

General Instructions for an Android phone and tablet

	1. Open the "Play Store" and go to the menu (generally in a corner at the top).
	2. Tap Settings.
	3. Tap Auto-update apps.
	4. Select "Do Not auto-update apps" or uncheck auto-update apps. Keep notifications checked to receive notifications when an update is available.

General Instructions for an iPhone and iPad

	1. Open Settings and go to "iTunes & App Store."
	2. Scroll down to the Automatic Downloads section. 3. Toggle updates to OFF to stop apps automatically updating.

Submitted by Marika Brack, wellness coordinator

At Duncan Aviation, the health and wellness of our team members is a top priority. One of our main goals is to help them achieve better health by removing the barriers that prevent them from exercising.  

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According to the Centers For Disease Control, the current exercise recommendation for Americans is a minimum of 150 minutes (two hours, 30 minutes) of moderate to intense aerobic activity AND two or more days a week of muscle strengthening activities that work all major muscle groups. However, one of the number one excuses or reasons we, as wellness professionals, hear as a barrier to exercise is the lack of time. Many of our team members commute, travel and have families, on top of their other day-to-day obligations.

Easy To Insane—Take Your Pick

To help alleviate some of this, we developed the Get Fit Body Weight Chart.

The chart is a tool that can be used by anyone, anywhere and without the need of any equipment. It is categorized by aerobic (cardio) moves, as well as five major muscle groups (Core, Legs, Chest, Back, and Arms).

This chart is for everyone, no matter what level you are on. With moves categorized from Easy to Insane and everything in between, you should have no problem finding a move that works for you.

Once you learn the moves, the possibilities for workouts are endless. By using this tool, you are able to tailor a workout to your needs.

We invite you to use this chart along with Duncan Aviation team members and create a routine of your own. Follow us on Facebook and post your own workouts.

Download the Duncan Aviation Get Fit Body Weight Chart now and get started towards better health.

Submitted by Aaron Hilkemann, President & CEO

On Wednesday, I had the unique experience of testifying on Capitol Hill to the House Committee of Transportation and Infrastructure.

I was originally asked to testify because of my positon on the Board of Directors of the General Aviation Manufacturer’s Association (GAMA). However, House committee members expressed interest in hearing about the experiences of Duncan Aviation and our longstanding and sometimes complicated relationship with the FAA.

My goal in testifying was to show support for some excellent recommendations the FAA itself has that are important to industry companies like Duncan Aviation. The FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 included Section 313, a provision designed to improve consistency of regulatory interpretation and enhance communications between the FAA Flight Standards and Aircraft Certification offices and industry, to promote better and more timely regulatory decision making. The Act required the FAA to establish an advisory panel to review and address findings of a report by the Government Accountability Office that cited inconsistent interpretation and application of regulations as one of the leading systemic issues affecting repair stations, air carriers and manufacturers. 

In July of 2013, the FAA submitted a report to Congress with the recommendations of this advisory panel. I wanted to highlight two recommendations that are of particular interest to Duncan Aviation. 

The primary recommendation was for FAA Aviation Flight Standards (AFS) and FAA Aircraft Certification Service (AIR) to consolidate the service organization-level regulatory and guidance libraries into a single Aviation Safety (AVS) master electronic database resource to allow the agency and industry access to relevant rules and documentation. Further, the FAA would conduct a review of all regulatory, guidance, policy, and interpretation documents to identify potential conflicts, cancel outdated material, and ensure proper cross-reference with applicable regulations. This ensures that FAA inspectors and industry representatives have access in one place to the regulations and all relevant interpretative material and acceptable methods of compliance to support consistent interpretation and application. 

The Section 313 report also recommended that the FAA establish a Regulatory Consistency Communications Board (RCCB) comprising representatives from AFS, AIR, and the Office of the Chief Counsel (AGC) that would provide clarification to FAA personnel and certificate/approval holders and applicants on questions related to the interpretation and application of requirements. This promotes consistency of interpretation and application of regulations to determine acceptable methods of compliance. The RCCB would be the arbiter for all parties.

The establishment of the RCCB will help promote constructive dialogue between the FAA and applicants for the resolution of potentially adverse issues in an expeditious and fair manner.

I am hopeful that committee members understand the importance of approving and properly funding these two recommendations.

To share your support in support of these issues, I encourage you to contact your Congressional Representative.

Click below to read my written testimony. 

 

Head down the main entrance drive of Duncan Aviation’s Lincoln, Nebraska, facility and you’ll see a Learjet 35 set atop a 20-foot stand, slightly tilted, as if frozen in time during takeoff.

The company jet flew for nearly 13,000 hours and boasted more than 10,000 landings at the time of its retirement in 2009. Though Duncan Aviation team members sold the aircraft’s engines and all salvageable parts, they kept the shell of the aircraft intact for years before it made its shift to sculpture along the main entrance drive of Duncan Aviation’s Lincoln, Nebraska, facility.

During the past five months, team members wrote messages inside the retired company jet, creating a unique time capsule that captured the experiences of anyone who piloted, flew in, worked on, purchased and delivered parts for, cleaned, fueled and towed this piece of Duncan Aviation history.

Though the Learjet was added to the campus late this year, plans for the monument began nearly four years ago. With a lot research, planning and modification of the aircraft, a piece of Duncan Aviation’s early days now sits across from the newly opened 175,000-square-foot maintenance hangars.

To view the time capsule’s interior, newly painted exterior and progression from hangar storage to three-prong stand, view the following time lapse video.

When it comes to aircraft paint, the products and processes are constantly changing and improving. To keep up with trends, industry representatives recently collaborated, sharing ideas and solutions at the first-ever Industry Benchmark Forum: Aircraft Paint. That expertise is now available in a customer-focused document at http://www.DuncanAviation.aero/fieldguides/aircraftpaint.

Paint industry representatives from Bombardier Learjet, Dassault Falcon Jet, Duncan Aviation, Gulfstream, Elliott Aviation and Standard Aero gathered to discuss the current state of the aircraft paint industry, the processes and products currently being utilized to minimize and mitigate corrosion’s negative impact on aircraft, as well as tour Duncan Aviation’s paint facilities.

In an effort to collectively raise the industry benchmark, reduce corrosion and improve painter safety, a group of industry aircraft paint experts gathered to share tips and tricks of the trade.

The group also considered current and future work processes and paint products in an attempt to collaborate and find paint systems that are best for customers’ aircraft, as well as paint technicians and team members.

“We also addressed the shift to chrome-free paint. Some of us having been using these products for years while others plan to reduce the amount of chromate products they use,” says Doug Bohac, Paint Shop Manager for Duncan Aviation. “We all realize the shift to chrome-free will happen in the next few years in Europe and the United States will likely follow suit.”

Chrome-free paint product expert Tom Chubb of AkzoNobel gave a presentation on the research and rigorous testing process of products currently available and those that might hit the market in the next few years.

All the attendees agreed the forum was mutually beneficial for the paint managers, shops and customers.

The group will meet again in April at another location to continue to build on this collective knowledge.

Download your copy of the Aircraft Paint Customer Guide now. 

Nearly four decades ago, Duncan Aviation bought its first Learjet 35. Today, the retired jet made the shift to sculpture as it was placed on permanent display along the main entrance drive of Duncan Aviation’s Lincoln, Nebraska, facility.

In 1976, this Learjet 35 allowed a person to reach places and carry more than any other prior business jet could achieve. Now, those parts and components have been sold and all that’s left of the Lear is a shell.

During the past five months, team members wrote messages inside the Learjet, creating a unique time capsule that captured the experiences of anyone who piloted, flew in, worked on, purchased and delivered parts for, cleaned, fueled and towed this piece of Duncan Aviation history.

As the only family owned MRO with thousands of team members and a presence that spans the globe, what helps us stand out, what makes us different, what allows us to rise above the rest, is our people and the relationships they develop and maintain year after year.

That focus will be very apparent in booth #208 at the 2014 National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) Meeting and Convention in Orlando, Florida.

From left to right: Project Manager Gary Dunn stands with Chief of Maintenance Greg Hamelink and Avionics Team Lead Matt Collins in front of three aircraft they've worked on together at Duncan Aviation's BTL location.

Why do relationships matter? Don’t all customers want the cheapest price and the fastest turntimes? Sometimes, yes. But when it comes to the jet your family, friends and co-workers fly on, you want a trustworthy individual you can call anytime about anything. You want to work with a place that values their team members, creates a sense of community and leaves a lasting impression.

Our customers demand a company that lends a hand to others instead of looking only at the bottom line. We want to convey that we value your needs as if they were our own. Customers aren’t just a number. They become part of our family.

Those relationships are the reason why our tech reps spend a holiday with their customers after helping them out of an AOG situation. They’re also why our project managers plan family vacations with customer reps and road bike together on the weekend when their jet is in one of our many hangars.

Those relationships extend beyond the one-on-one interaction. Teams who work with OEMs and others in the industry develop new products and improve existing ones because that collaboration and trust was built alongside a friendship.

So, this year at NBAA, we’ve opted not to build a brand new booth. Instead, we offer a comfortable place to sit and the opportunity to talk to our most valuable assets: our people.

Come, cultivate a new relationship and see why Duncan Aviation is an experience, unlike any other.

For more information, visit Duncan Aviation at booth #208 at NBAA 2014 held Oct. 21-23 in Orlando, or watch for announcements at www.DuncanAviation.aero/nbaa.