The Duncan Download Blog: Business Aviation Advice & Observations

 The ADS-B Deadline Will Not Change

For several years now, Duncan Aviation has been encouraging its customers to upgrade to ADS-B (Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast). We’re aware that as the FAA’s ADS-B mandate deadline—January 1, 2020—draws nearer, there will be a critical shortage of hangar space at qualified shops, not to mention a shortage of skilled avionics technicians who can perform and install the upgrades.

Among the information we’ve shared with our customers is a list of excuses we’ve heard for waiting on performing the upgrades:

• #1 There’s plenty of time
• #2 The deadline will be extended
• #3 The prices will drop
• #4 We’re going to sell our aircraft anyway

Several months ago, we countered every argument on our ADS-B web site (www.duncanaviation.aero/adsb). In light of remarks made at the Sun ‘n Fun International Fly-In & Expo in Lakeland, Florida, in April 2017 by an FAA spokesperson, we’d like to revisit #2.

At the Linder Regional Airport, the FAA’s Acting Deputy Administrator, Victoria Wassmer, reiterated that the mandate deadline for ADS-B is firm, and she didn’t mince words!

“I’m going to say this as plainly as I can: The ADS-B equipage deadline is not changing,” says Wassmer. “If you plan to fly your plane in most controlled airspace after December 31, 2019, you’re going to need to install ADS-B.”

We at Duncan Aviation can confirm that we’ve seen an uptick in installation activity so far in 2017. Duncan Aviation and its 27 Satellite Shops and workaway stations completed 47 ADS-B installations in Q1, and we have an additional 55 scheduled for the second quarter. As a result of the recent comments by Ms. Wassmer, Duncan Aviation has seen an uptick in the number of ADS-B upgrades scheduled for the third and fourth quarters of 2017, and we have customers who are scheduling for 2018 and 2019 now, too.  

In an effort to accommodate our customers who are planning to upgrade to ADS-B in the next couple of years, Duncan Aviation has set up a slot program. Customers may buy a slot to reserve a confirmed date, hangar space, and qualified technicians for their aircraft at one of the Duncan Aviation Satellite Shops, which are located at the busiest airports throughout the United States.  

Contact the Duncan Aviation Satellite Shop nearest you (www.duncanaviation.aero/locations/#satellites), one of our Duncan Aviation Avionics Installation Team members (www.DuncanAviation.aero/services/avionics-installation/contacts), or Regional Avionics Sales Manager Mark Francetic (Mark.Francetic@DuncanAviation.com or 

+1-702.303.4888) or call +1 402.475.2611 for more information about ADS-B upgrades and the slot reservation program.

Duncan Aviation would also like to remind our world-wide customers that after midnight on January 1, 2020, their aircraft must have functioning ADS-B equipment if they intend to fly in United-States airspace. The FAA’s ADS-B mandate deadline is several months earlier than the EASA deadline.

 

 

 

Duncan Aviation’s Aircraft Interior Team in Battle Creek, Michigan, completely transformed the dated and dark interior of an older charter jet. The new owner liked the size and flight range of the model and was looking for some minor interior tweaks.

The metamorphosis of the aircraft was instead dramatic and complete, and this first-time Duncan Aviation customer was extremely excited by the transformation.

“That’s what you have to call it,” says Completions and Modifications Sales Rep Adam Bruce. “It was a transformative experience!”

Because Battle Creek Multi Media Illustrator Ken Reita felt the interior really needed a more thorough renovation, he and Adam flew to Miami, Florida, to show the customer both sets of designs. The customer was thrilled with the designs for the more complete refurbishment and even came up with several ideas for the color scheme. 

“Although the customer had originally planned just a cursory rehab of the interior so he could turn around and sell the aircraft, he changed his mind after seeing the designs,” says Adam. “This was a really fun project to be a part of, and the customer was enthusiastic from the start.”

The wood in the old interior was scratched and pitted, and the finish was foggy. The plating throughout the interior is all chrome now, and there are orange accents in the custom carpet. Adam says the new, hand-finished wood is probably the most impressive change.

“We replaced the pitted, scratched, dark wood with a light beige wood with graphite striations through it,” says Adam. “With its high glos

s, you can see gold and silver mineral deposits in the wood. It’s just beautiful how the flecks shine when the light hits the brilliant finish.”

The seats are fresh and attractive with their new, single-toned leather. Replacing the worn, faded leather on the divan is a new plush, light-colored fabric that has softened the interior. Orange pillows add a splash of accent color and help draw out the subtle orange threads in the carpet.

Duncan Aviation recently refurbished a 12-year-old Gulfstream G550, giving it a whole new interior, a new exterior paint scheme, and an upgraded CMS (Cabin Management System). During this refurbishment, we also performed scheduled maintenance to minimize the impact of the downtime for the client’s flight schedule.

“Because of the reliability of Gulfstream aircraft, they continue to be dependable business tools, regardless of age,” says Completions/Modification Sales Manager Nate Klenke. “This serial number was a top performer in our client’s fleet, so they decided to give it a facelift and keep it flying.” 

A New Interior

Duncan Aviation Lead Designer Rachael Weverka redesigned the interior, proposing an updated color scheme, all new soft goods (fabrics, seat upholstery, headliner fabrics) in the cabin and a unique combination of natural veneers and colored accents.

The galley designs featured multi-colored finished surfaces coupled with high-gloss veneer finishes. The upper galley cabinets, for instance, were treated with a light cream color to coordinate with the headliner fabric.

View our Gulfstream Interior Gallery

Based on Rachael’s designs, the production teams created sleek new drink rails, and redesigned the PSUs (Passenger Service Units), adding veneer and plating to modernize the panels. Rachael grouped lights and gaspers into pods for each chair and added plated accents to the handrails.

We also reconstructed the front door in the galley from a sliding door to a drop-down door. The door is now a single piece, and it pivots with hinges on each corner so it can be angled and rotated into a functional workspace.

Before & After

During the project’s planning, the client requested the new design be consistent with the rest of their fleet. With a very conservative budget, Rachael was able to incorporate stylized design elements using the existing panels and structure to develop a cabin environment that was spot-on with the client’s request.

The seats pop with new French stitching (a double topstitch on top of the leather), and the extra detailing on the armrests and lower sidewalls was inspired by the stitching on the seats.

“We worked to modernize the materials, taking it from what was a bit standard and going a few steps beyond,” says Rachael. “The seats now have an ergonomic design, providing passengers with greater lumbar support, making the seats comfortable as well as attractive.”

Using two-toned leather for the drink rails made them more durable than if they’d been covered in fabric or veneer.

“We used hand-tipped the leather to maintain a soft textural feeling,” says Rachael. “It helps give the lower sidewalls a bit of visual interest as opposed to a solid color.”

Read about the rest of this project in the Spring 2017 Duncan Debrief magazine.

Duncan Aviation is participating in the NextGen Mandate Solutions panel discussion at the SCAA’s (Southern California Aviation Association’s) luncheon at Ross Aviation in Long Beach, on April 28, 2017. Duncan Aviation’s Regional Avionics Sales Manager Mark Francetic will be a member of the panel, which is moderated by Matt Thurber, Senior Editor of Aviation International News.

“As the ADS-B (Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast) mandate deadline nears and the demand for upgrades increases, more and more questions are being raised,” says Duncan Aviation Southwest Regional Manager Alfredo Garcia. “We are proud to join this panel to help answer any questions operators may have.”

For the last several years, Duncan Aviation has taken a leadership role in providing our customers and the business aviation community with the most comprehensive information possible on the ADS-B mandate by offering its free seminars. As the deadline for the mandate draws nearer and hangar space at reputable shops dwindles, Duncan Aviation is offering its customers the opportunity to reserve slots now for ADS-B upgrades in 2018 and 2019.  

The Duncan Aviation slot program allocates two spots per satellite per month for ADS-B upgrades. This program holds a confirmed date and hangar space for one aircraft, and operators can call now to reserve the spots for 2018 and 2019 and throughout the rest of 2017.

At our three main facilities in Battle Creek, Michigan, Lincoln, Nebraska, and Provo, Utah, and throughout our network of 27 Satellite Avionics Shops and work-away stations, Duncan Aviation has already upgraded nearly 300 aircraft of all makes and models. The skilled technicians on the Avionics bench at the Lincoln facility have also upgraded 132 TDR-94/TDR-94D units, bringing them into compliance with the ADS-B mandate.

Each shop has knowledgeable, experienced avionics technicians who have already brought dozens of aircraft into compliance with the ADS-B mandate, and there are two Duncan Aviation locations in Southern California: The Van Nuys Satellite Avionics shop and the San Diego workaway station. Manager Tony Russo (+1-818.355.0761) oversees both locations, and Tony and Crew Lead Joe Vittling (+1 818.298.7489) will be happy to answer questions and provide quotes.

Contact a Satellite Avionics Shop to reserve a slot (www.duncanaviation.aero/locations/#satellites) or call Duncan Aviation (+1 402.475.2611) or Regional Avionics Sales Manager Mark Francetic (702.303.4888) for quotes and/or information.

In the last few months, Doug Roth, Aircraft Sales Representative for Duncan Aviation for 29 years, has been asked many times about the effect an ADS-B (Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast) upgrade has on the value of a business aircraft when it’s sold. The deadline for the FAA’s mandate is about 30 months away, and owners are weighing their options: Upgrade or sell.

Prospective buyers are weighing their options, as well. Time is money for flight departments, so an aircraft that’s already equipped with ADS-B is attractive, too, because it won’t require additional downtime for the installation.

Doug says unequivocally that the value of an aircraft right now is directly related to whether it has ADS-B.

“It’s dollar for dollar,” says Doug. “If you have upgraded your aircraft, you will get back every dollar you spent on the upgrade to make the aircraft ADS-B compliant. For instance, if you have a newer model aircraft and have gone with the high dollar upgrades, such as WAAS/LPV capability for the GPS so you can take advantage of the lower approaches, you will recoup every dollar you invested if you were to sell that aircraft in the current market.”

By the same token, if you have not yet brought your aircraft into compliance, the sale price will be set back dollar-for-dollar based on the amount the upgrade will cost the prospective buyer.

“It doesn’t matter if you have a newer model aircraft or one that’s nearing the end of its flight time, if you plan to sell your aircraft without the ADS-B upgrades, you will lose dollar-for-dollar the cost of the upgrade,” says Doug. 

There can be more than one path to upgrade, and which one you choose depends on a number of factors.  If you intend to fly your older model aircraft that has about 5 years of life left, you might want to opt for one of the least expensive solutions.

If you’d rather try to sell your older model aircraft now, you’ll need to deduct the cost of the ADS-B upgrade plus any related labor costs from the sale price of your aircraft.

This is true, too, for a newer aircraft that has many years of flight time remaining. Buyers who make a substantial investment to acquire a newer model aircraft will still need to turn around and spend more to get the aircraft in compliance with the ADS-B mandate.

Doug suggests that anyone who’s thinking of selling an aircraft without the ADS-B upgrade to remember how the market reacted to aircraft without RVSM (Reduced Vertical Separation Minimum) when that was mandated.

“When RVSM came out, the cost to install was a dollar-for-dollar direct value adjustment to the value of the aircraft. Before it was required and we knew it was coming, everyone was budgeting for the expense whether you owned the aircraft or were looking to buy one that did not have it installed,” says Doug. “I remember selling one aircraft right in that time period without RVSM because it was not yet required in the US. The sale price was less the cost of the upgrade, and after the prebuy, the buyer had us install it at their expense before delivery.”

The buyer would have paid more for the aircraft if RVSM had been installed, and he could have avoided the extra downtime necessary for the installation.

Inspired by the owner’s preference for a sleek, modernized interior and a flair unique to his tastes, Duncan Aviation Senior Designer Mary Lee transformed the interior of this Bombardier Global Express from its traditional, outdated neutral environment into one of contemporary luxury.

In order to capture his vision of a sporty yet sophisticated environment, the design concept began by incorporating blue carbon fiber and silver metallic painted cabinetry in place of traditional wood veneer.

After walking up the Duncan-Aviation-designed stainless and neoprene entry steps, you see the first stunning feature: the custom blue LED-illuminated wine cabinet.

The owner’s passion for fine wines and gourmet cooking became an inspiration for the final galley design.

As you watch the video below, note the unique features and details throughout the aircraft. The angled touch-screen bezels and chrome inlays, for example, were designed and manufactured by our in-house fabrication team.

The blue LED-illuminated cup holders are also an exclusive Duncan-Aviation design and were incorporated into the drinkrail to complement the ambient blue floor lighting.

The blue carbon fiber served as the unifying element to achieve balance throughout the cabin and the focal point on the bulkhead dividers.

If you would like to see what this Bombardier Global Express looked like before this transformation, read the Fall 2016 Duncan Debrief article.

Yes, you almost certainly do. You need a transponder capable of DO-260B transmissions and an upgraded or new WAAS (Wide Area Augmentation System) receiver unless you plan to fly below 10,000 feet and avoid Class A, B, and C airspace*.

With fewer than 34 months remaining to equip the entire US business aviation fleet with ADS-B Out avionics equipment, there will likely be shortages of hangar space at qualified shops as the deadline draws nearer. From now until the mandate deadline, January 1, 2020, roughly 174 aircraft per month still need to find available hangar space and qualified technicians.

Avoid The Scheduling Crunch

If you are not yet ready for the required upgrades and are worried about finding available capacity at certified service centers, take a look at our ADS-B Slot Program

The Duncan Aviation ADS-B Slot Program lets you buy a slot to reserve a confirmed date and hangar space for your aircraft at one of our Satellite Avionics Shops. The deposit will be applied to the ADS-B installation when you arrive.

By scheduling now, you will see better pricing, have easier access to the certified transponders and GPS sensors, and find time for the upgrade/installation that fits your flight schedule and calendar.

Contact the Duncan Aviation Satellite Shop (www.DuncanAviation.aero/locations/#satellites) nearest you, one of our Duncan Aviation Avionics Installation Team Members (www.DuncanAviation.aero/services/avionics-installation/contacts), or call +1 402.475.2611 for more information about ADS-B upgrades and the new slot reservation program.

ADS-B Myth Busting

ADS-B Myth #1: There Is Plenty Of Time

ADS-B #2: The Deadline WIll Be Extended

ADS-B Myth #3: The Prices Will Drop

ADS-B Myth #4: We’re Going To Sell Our Aircraft Anyway

ADS-B Myth #5: I Don’t Need ADS-B

*What Is Class A, B & C Airspace?

Class A airspace encompasses all airspace over the continental United States and Alaska from 18,000 feet to 60,000 feet. This includes all airspace withing 12 nautical miles of the coasts of the continental United States and Alasaka and some designated international airspace beyond those 12 nautical miles. All flights in Class A airspace are under ATC control and must operate using IFR (instrument flight rules) only.

Class B airspace, which is the airspace around the 37 busiest airports in the United States, is strictly controlled. Aircraft flying in Class B airspace must be under the control of ATC, and VFR aircraft must receive explicit permission to enter the airspace. No aircraft can takeoff or land at these airports without permission or without an operating Mode C transponder and a two-way radio. These rules cover airspace within 30 nautical miles of the airports, often encompassing other airports in the area. For instance, the Dallas Love Field is not a Class B airport, but DFW is and Love Field is within the DFW airspace and is subject to the same rules.

Class C airspace goes from the surface to 4,000 feet MSL (Mean Sea Level) above the airport. These 122 airports have operational control towers, currently control approaches by radar, and have mostly IFR operations. Two-way radio communication is required for takeoff and landing, and aircraft may not enter Class C airspace without directly communicating with ATC first.

 

As one industry broker told us, “Without ADS-B, you may as well use your aircraft as an expensive paperweight. No one is going to buy it.”

Duncan Aviation’s Aircraft Sales & Acquisitions team says that whether an aircraft is equipped with ADS-B Out is already affecting its resale value. In this buyer’s market, if you don’t pay to upgrade to ADS-B Out now, the price you’ll be able to ask for your aircraft will be significantly less than if you had performed the upgrade.

And, with less than 35 months remaining to equip the entire US business aviation fleet with ADS-B Out avionics equipment, there will likely be shortages of hangar space at qualified shops as the deadline draws nearer. From now until the mandate deadline, January 1, 2020, roughly 167 aircraft per month still need to find available hangar space and qualified technicians.

Avoid The Scheduling Crunch

If you are not yet ready for the required upgrades and are worried about finding available capacity at certified service centers, take a look at our ADS-B Slot Program

The Duncan Aviation ADS-B Splot Program lets you buy a slot to reserve a confirmed date and hangar space for your aircraft at one of our Satellite Avionics Shops. The deposit will will applied to the ADS-B installation when you arrive.

By scheduling now, you will see better pricing, have easier access to the certified transponders and GPS sensors, and find time for the upgrade/installation that fits your flight schedule and calendar.

Contact the Duncan Aviation Satellite Shop (www.DuncanAviation.aero/locations/#satellites) nearest you, one of our Duncan Aviation Avionics Installation Team Members (www.DuncanAviation.aero/services/avionics-installation/contacts), or call +1 402.475.2611 for more information about ADS-B upgrades and the new slot reservation program.

ADS-B Myth Busting

ADS-B Myth #1: There Is Plenty Of Time

ADS-B #2: The Deadline WIll Be Extended

ADS-B Myth #3: The Prices Will Drop

ADS-B Myth #4: We’re Going To Sell Our Aircraft Anyway

ADS-B Myth #5: I Don’t Need ADS-B

This is an interesting thought, and we have heard many customers say this. If you look at our industry and the history of mandates, though, prices don’t typically decrease for equipment that is both required and has limited availability. It is our expert opinion after studying the issue thoroughly that as the mandate approaches, prices will instead increase, especially when you look at the upcoming demands for avionics installation capacity.  

There are fewer than 35 months remaining to equip the entire US business aviation fleet with ADS-B Out avionics equipment. That means from now until the mandate deadline, January 1, 2020, roughly 167 aircraft per month will need to find available hangar space and qualified technicians.

Avoid The Scheduling Crunch

If you are not yet ready for the required upgrades and are worried about finding available capacity at certified service centers, take a look at our ADS-B Slot Program

The Duncan Aviation ADS-B Splot Program lets you buy a slot to reserve a confirmed date and hangar space for your aircraft at one of our Satellite Avionics Shops. The deposit will will applied to the ADS-B installation when you arrive.

By scheduling now, you will see better pricing, have easier access to the certified transponders and GPS sensors, and find time for the upgrade/installation that fits your flight schedule and calendar.

Contact the Duncan Aviation Satellite Shop (www.DuncanAviation.aero/locations/#satellites) nearest you, one of our Duncan Aviation Avionics Installation Team Members (www.DuncanAviation.aero/services/avionics-installation/contacts), or call +1 402.475.2611 for more information about ADS-B upgrades and the new slot reservation program.

ADS-B Myth Busting

ADS-B Myth #1: There Is Plenty Of Time

ADS-B #2: The Deadline WIll Be Extended

ADS-B Myth #3: The Prices Will Drop

ADS-B Myth #4: We’re Going To Sell Our Aircraft Anyway

ADS-B Myth #5: I Don’t Need ADS-B

We feel confident saying the deadline is firm. At the EAA AirVenture Air Show in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, in July 2016, FAA Administrator Michael Huerta reiterated that the mandate deadline will not change, and he encouraged general aviation owners to upgrade their equipment now, adding that it’s a smart move.

The FAA says there will not be an extension. The agency has outlined its NextGen initiative, and it includes ADS-B technology. Customers in Asia Pacific, Hong Kong, and Singapore all thought the same thing when the deadline for their mandate approached in December 12, 2013. It was not extended.

The FAA has given our industry 10 years to comply, and January 1, 2020 is the deadline. The time to schedule your ADS-B installation is now.

Because business aircraft operators in the United States have less than 35 months remaining to equip the entire fleet with ADS-B Out avionics equipment. That means from now until the mandate deadline, January 1, 2020, roughly 167 aircraft per month will need to find available hangar space and qualified technicians.

If you wait too long, the installation prices will increase, based on simple supply and demand, and you run the risk of not finding a shop qualified to complete the upgrades and installations.

Avoid The Scheduling Crunch

If you are not yet ready for the required upgrades, but don’t want to get caught up in the mad rush to find available capacity at certified service centers, we are offering an ADS-B Slot Program

The Duncan Aviation ADS-B Splot Program lets you buy a slot to reserve a confirmed date and hangar space for your aircraft at one of our Satellite Avionics Shops. The deposit will will applied to the ADS-B installation when you arrive.

By scheduling now, you will see better pricing, have easier access to the certified transponders and GPS sensors, and find time for the upgrade/installation that fits your flight schedule and calendar.

Contact the Duncan Aviation Satellite Shop (www.DuncanAviation.aero/locations/#satellites) nearest you, one of our Duncan Aviation Avionics Installation Team Members (www.DuncanAviation.aero/services/avionics-installation/contacts), or call +1 402.475.2611 for more information about ADS-B upgrades and the new slot reservation program.

ADS-B Myth Busting

ADS-B Myth #1: There Is Plenty Of Time

ADS-B #2: The Deadline WIll Be Extended

ADS-B Myth #3: The Prices Will Drop

ADS-B Myth #4: We’re Going To Sell Our Aircraft Anyway

ADS-B Myth #5: I Don’t Need ADS-B