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.

Duncan Aviation’s Engine Rapid Response network has grown and is more widely dispersed than ever. With 30 technicians strategically located across the United States, the demand for AOG and scheduled support at customer locations continues to increase. And they are answering the call, making the trip and getting each customer back in the air and back on schedule.

With this continued growth, we are proud to announce the appointment of new leaders within our Engine Rapid Response (RRT) network.

Joe Stubbs—Atlanta, Georgia

Joe Stubbs has been with Duncan Aviation for 10 years, nine of those on the engine line at the company's headquarters in Lincoln, Neb. In 2014, he successfully launched a new Engine Rapid Response office in Long Beach, Calif., then moved on to join the Seattle RRT. Turbine Engine Service Manager James Prater says that when the Atlanta leadership opportunity became available, Stubbs was the clear choice. "Joe's flexibility, versatility and wealth of engine knowledge make him a valuable resource in our RRT network. We are happy that he has accepted this leadership opportunity in Atlanta."

For engine service and support in the Atlanta region, Joe Stubbs can be reached at +1 770.286.4410.

Mike Bruhn—Chicago, Illinois

Mike Bruhn joined the Rapid Response Team in Chicago with experience as an A&P certified technician in flight departments and repair stations on a broad spectrum of corporate jets. In his five years at Chicago, he has built a strong rapport with area operators. "We are excited to allow Mike the opportunity to continue to strengthen those relationships while serving as Team Leader and work toward his vision for growing the team and expanding its presence throughout the area," says Prater.

For engine service and support in the Chicago region, Mike Bruhn can be reached at +1 773.294.5169.

Regis Biarrieta—Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Fort Lauderdale is Duncan Aviation's largest Engine Rapid Response Team. Regis Biarrieta has taken over as the new Team Leader for the Fort Lauderdale office. Baiarrieta has been with Duncan Aviation for four years, having worked in both Atlanta and Fort Lauderdale. His prior A&P experiences include airlines, corporate jets and government contracts where he spent seven years in Spain maintaining the Spanish Air Force Presidential and Royal fleet. Prater believes these experiences along with his Venezuelan roots and multilingual ability make him a great fit for Duncan Aviation's south Florida clientele. "He is a great asset in Fort Lauderdale and will be a tremendous Team Leader."

For engine service and support in the Fort Lauderdale region, Regis Biarrieta can be reached at +1 954.410.0058.

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.

In an open letter to the aviation community, Duncan Aviation's Chairman encourages others to communicate their support of the industry to their elected officials.

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Aviation Friends and Colleagues,

Given our shared interest in aviation, I'm writing to request your support of an important initiative designed to protect business aviation in the United States. Because we have Duncan Aviation facilities across the country, we are asking everyone to join in a nationwide coalition of aviation groups so we can unite our efforts to clarify the goals of general aviation and promote its growth.

I am very involved in the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) as a member of their Associate Member Advisory Council. In that capacity, I have come to really appreciate just how critical it is for any industry to have a strong and active community of grassroots advocates communicating with their elected officials.

I would like you to join a growing and vocal group of business aviation supporters who will periodically be called upon to communicate support of the industry to our elected officials. The NBAA has an online tool called Contact Congress that makes it exceptionally easy for individuals to develop and maintain communication with their elected representatives in the U.S. Senate and House.

While many key general aviation supporters have retained their seats in both chambers of Congress following mid-term elections, retirements and election losses will leave the General Aviation Caucus in both the House and Senate with much rebuilding in 2015. In addition, we will also be seeking new leadership due to the retirement of Senate Caucus Co-chair Mike Johanns who is retiring. The timing of this letter is key in introducing ourselves to our representatives in Congress following the shift in power. These caucuses take the time to explore and understand the issues affecting the general aviation community and their members play a vital role in protecting and supporting GA.

To initiate your participation in this ongoing effort, I am asking you to simply click here, fill in your personal and company address information on the page, and follow the simple instructions to send the pre-written letter to your elected representative introducing yourself and indicating your support of business aviation.

That is it. The entire process will only take a couple of minutes, but it will establish a line of communication with your elected officials in Washington that will be very important for business aviation in the months and years to come.

This effort to make aviation’s voice heard is an on-going effort. As mentioned above, I will periodically ask you to use the Contact Congress website to voice your support on specific issues critical to protecting and promoting business aviation in the United States. Thank you in advance for your support and willingness to stand with me. Business aviation depends on it!

Sincerely,

D. Todd Duncan

   

Related Articles:

Duncan Aviation President Testifies Before Congressional Committee 

A near-record number of landing gear sets and components are in-house at Duncan Aviation’s accessories shop in Lincoln, NE.

According to Tony Curtis, landing gear team leader, seven full sets of landing gear and a “whole slew” of individual components, such as struts and oleos, have filled the shop and kept the schedule very busy. All shifts are working tirelessly overhauling or inspecting gear sets and components from Challenger 300, Challenger 604, Challenger 601, Learjet and King Air aircraft.

Although three sets have been completed and already shipped back to operators, Jon Hein, accessories service sales rep, says the workload doesn’t appear to be letting up anytime soon. “Over the next several weeks, many more sets and component parts are scheduled to arrive.”

Because an aircraft can’t go anywhere without its legs, Duncan Aviation has invested heavily in the landing gear customer more than doubling its Accessories shop area, gaining approximately 6,300 square feet of service area, doubling its work benches and adding new tooling and in-house capabilities, including an overhead crane and a new paint booth with curing room.

In 2014, they acquired the capabilities to completely overhaul and repair landing gear for both commercial and business Embraer aircraft. With the necessary technical data, maintenance manuals and aircraft landing gear parts, Duncan Aviation’s Accessories Services has received and successfully overhauled two sets of Embraer gear to comply with the 144-month landing gear restoration.

Take a moment and watch this before and after ERJ-145 overhaul video.

 

 

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. 

 

In 2014, Mark Francetic, Regional Avionics Sales Manager for Duncan Aviation, hosted several free, day-long NextGen seminars. Because interest in information and equipment is increasing as we draw closer to the 2020 deadline for the NextGen mandates, Mark will once again host a series of free seminars in 2015.

“We’ve been talking about the mandates and how they affect all of us for several years now,” says Mark, “and the discussion is shifting from the theoretical to the practical. Instead of asking, ‘What is ADS-B?’ and ‘What is FANS 1A,’ we are now asking, ‘What equipment do I need to outfit or retrofit my aircraft so it complies with the mandates stipulated in the rapidly approaching 2020 deadline?’”

Mark’s mission is to provide practical information about precisely what equipment owner/operators need and what certified equipment is currently available or will be soon.

Many of our channel partners now offer certified equipment that fulfills the ADS-B and FANS 1/A mandates. As Mark hosts NextGen seminars at key locations throughout the United States in 2015, many of those partners, including Cobham, Universal, Safran Engineering Services, GoGo Business Aviation, Satcom Direct, ICG, Honeywell, L-3 and True North, will join him.

The free seminars feature presentations about new and existing NextGen products and Q&A sessions. The seminars are popular and fill up quickly.

“Last year, we had one attendee who drove 445 miles to attend the seminar in Seattle, Washington,” says Mark.

Mark will kick off the seminar series at the Hilton Fort Lauderdale Marina in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., on January 29. Space is limited for these free seminars, and lunch is included.

Mark is also hosting a seminar in Salt Lake City on February 19 and one at AEA in Dallas on April 7. He plans to host five more throughout the year but dates and locations for those are not yet determined.

Contact Mark for information about registration or to RSVP.

Mark.Francetic@DuncanAviation.com

702.303.4888 (Mobile)

702.262.6142 (Office)

Submitted By Jeff Schipper, Project Manager PVU

Duncan Aviation’s Provo, Utah, facility both gave and received an early Christmas present this year in the guise of an Embraer Legacy 144-month (L24) inspection. During this inspection, we restored the landing gear and installed an Aircell ATG5000 cabin Wi-Fi system, among many other smaller items.

Space constraints presented the Provo crew with unique challenges, but with the requested outdate in mind, our teams worked together and creatively resolved those challenges. We aggressively dealt with the turntimes on the landing gear in order to meet our customer's limited downtime. The landing gear team at our Lincoln, Nebraska, facility finished the overhaul and shipped the landing gear back to Provo within a day of the requested return date.

Another challenge resulted from a missing aircraft Electrical Load Analysis (ELA) document. The ELA is comparable to the aircraft Weight and Balance Manual—only it’s for the aircraft electrical system. Our avionics install team worked with our Embraer contacts and procured a manual for this serial number in time for our team to perform the final calculations and produce the appropriate paperwork on our end for delivery.

To limit yet maximize downtime for this popular charter aircraft, our interior team worked with the customer on which repairs we could accomplish after the interior was removed for the inspection. The team ended up finishing several high-profile pieces of woodwork and had everything looking like new by the time installation day rolled around.

As often happens, a couple of gremlins dogged the final day—a landing light burned out and a flow pack gave up just before delivery. Troubleshooting and procuring parts ended up pushing delivery back a day, but the aircraft arrived at its home on Tuesday, December 23.

Once home in Scottsdale, the delivery gremlins reappeared; this time, an APU issue sent our Scottsdale Rapid Response team into action and they resolved the issue by early the following morning. 

One of the things that really shined through to our customer with this project was the way Duncan Aviation as a team banded together to support them no matter what facility they were in. This aircraft was worked on in our Provo facility, the landing gear was completed at our Lincoln location and when the aircraft needed after-delivery support in Scottsdale, our Rapid Response team there was quick to respond. This inspection was a true multi-shop, multi-site success story.

Since becoming a Legacy Authorized Service Center, we’ve completed several types of inspections, including L1, L2, L4, and this most recent L24.

Jeff Schipper is a Project Manager at Duncan Aviation's Provo, Utah, facility serving as the central point of contact for his customers' projects ensuring overall project quality and timely aircraft delivery. His aviation career began in 1987.

The Embraer Legacy takes off from Duncan Aviation's picturesque view in Provo, Utah. 

...A World of Good Wishes. 

One of the real joys this holiday season is the opportunity to say thank you for your business and wish you the very best throughout 2015!

 

Contributed by Aaron Hilkemann, President & CEO

Technology has created some of the most significant changes in our business over the last 25 years.

Today, Duncan Aviation team members access parts catalogs and manuals online from wireless computers throughout our hangars. Work instructions are completed and signed off by team members simply by scanning their badges. Customers can approve squawks online from anywhere in the world by accessing their secure myDuncan account. They can also obtain repair alternatives and view photos of squawks found without being onsite during the inspection. In addition to reducing paperwork, these technologies have enabled our workflow to be more efficient as customers approve items in a timelier manner and have access to a running total of additional approved costs.

Technology has also impacted repair procedures and allowed for better identification of cracks and corrosion through the use of digital boroscopes and NDT equipment. Improvements to equipment such as tugs, power carts and lifts have enabled team members to operate more reliable equipment that is also easier and safer to use. Improved fall protection, new LED lighting and more efficient heating systems have also helped to create a safer and more comfortable hangar environment for team members and customers.

Through the use of technology, we use safer and more environmentally friendly products throughout all of our shops, including not only cleaners and solvents, but an entire new system of chrome-free paint products used by our paint shop technicians. By using these more environmentally friendly paint products, we have been able to decrease risk to our workforce while increasing the number and size of aircraft painted in any one location while meet all EPA-induced environmental standards.

Technology improvements in engine, avionics and cabin management have improved the performance and, in most cases, decreased the operating costs to maintain the equipment. Consequently, the labor and parts supplied by MROs in these areas have decreased, along with fewer unscheduled maintenance events for operators.

Lastly, the emergence of the large and ultra large business jets has ‘shrunk’ our previously built hangars, causing the MRO industry to build new and much larger hangars. The planes considered ‘big iron’ 25 years ago are now considered mid-size aircraft. These large and ultra-large business aircraft have expanded the worldwide fleet and have created the perfect business tool for the new worldwide economy that has emerged. The other development that has put a demand on hangar space for MROs is the addition of winglets on aircraft of all sizes. Winglets, while making the aircraft more efficient, make stacking the MRO hangar more complicated.

Future developments that will impact the MRO industry include regulation and the continued growth and emergence of the worldwide fleet. 

New regulations and interpretations of existing regulations have significantly impacted our business during the past 25 years. Many repairs for corrosion in the past were quickly resolved and signed off using 337s. Today, even many smaller inspections generate corrosion repairs that must be accompanied by engineering drawings that significantly increase the cost and timeliness of the repairs.

While the FAA continues to focus on streamlining regulation, EASA appears to be focusing on writing new and more complex regulations. The result of both actions by the FAA and EASA will continue to increase costs to MROs that will be passed on to operators. The FAA's focus on establishing delegated authority for MROs has resulted in increased MRO staffing to support the delegated authority and this is expected to continue.  EASA's certification charges continue to be significant along with the additional costs to prepare the documentation required to obtain the certifications. While safety remains an important issue for operators and MROs, it appears the operating costs to maintain and certify new equipment and repairs are growing exponentially in relation to the improved safety of these new regulations and certification requirements. 

The emergence of significant deliveries of aircraft worldwide during the past 25 years has created the need for MRO service providers throughout the world. The MRO industry will continue to build new facilities to service these aircraft and it will continue to be challenged to identify skilled workers to serve these markets outside of the U.S. While many international operators will continue to return to the U.S. for service, there will be a need for skilled workers to maintain these aircraft on a daily basis throughout the world. The MRO industry will need to continue to be innovative to help these operators operate and maintain their aircraft throughout the world.

Our industry remains in a strong position to facilitate business growth and expansion throughout the world. Based on the significant deliveries during the past 25 years, it is hard not to be optimistic about the next 25 years of business aviation.