The Duncan Download Blog: Business Aviation Advice & Observations

April 2018 Duncan Intelligence

Aircraft Battery Storage
Aircraft batteries have a shelf life and maintenance requirements while in storage. The maintenance intervals and level of maintenance are directly related to the temperature at which the batteries are stored.

KFC 400 Autopilot: Common System Squawks
As an authorized BendixKing service center, we have seen this system in our avionics repair shop many times.

Hawker: Troubleshooting Inefficient Cabin Cooling
Have you ever experienced poor cabin cooling on the ground while the APU was in operation? Keep reading...

ADS-B And Non-Performing Emitters
According to the most recent data from the FAA, slightly less than 10% of all U.S. registered ADS-B-equipped aircraft are NPE, or non-performing emitters.

Aircraft For Sale: New Offering 1Q 2018
Duncan Aviation has a large selection of business aircraft for sale. View the latest offerings for 2018 and see what is coming soon.

In The News

After A Little April Fool’s Joke, FAA Reiterates ADS-B Deadline Firm
Read more.

Duncan Aviation’s Parts Search & myDuncan Translate to Several Languages
Read more. 

Everyone at Duncan Aviation laughed along with most of the rest of the business aviation industry on April Fool’s Day when the spoof press release claimed the deadline for the Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) mandate had been extended until 2040. Not long after the laughter died down, though, the FAA reiterated that the agency’s deadline will not change, saying, “We have a sense of humor, too, but an April Fool’s joke that the FAA is extending the ADS-B deadline is just that.”

The FAA went on to say:

As stated in the final rule published with industry input in May 2010, all aircraft flying in designated controlled airspace—generally the same busy airspace where transponders are currently required—must be equipped with ADS-B Out avionics by Jan. 1, 2020. Only aircraft that fly in uncontrolled airspace, and aircraft without electrical systems, such as balloons and gliders, are exempt from the mandate.

The joke brought attention to the rumor mill that has consistently insisted that the FAA will delay the deadline. Not only did the FAA take the opportunity to squelch those rumors, but it also reminded the businees aviation industry that there are only 21 months remaining until the mandate deadline.

Because time flies and aircraft without ADS-B probably won’t after the deadline, Duncan Aviation would like to remind its customers that the company has numerous certified paths to upgrade equipment to comply with the FAA’s ADS-B mandate. Duncan Aviation holds (or has access to) 42 STCs for dozens of aircraft models.

Additionally, the experienced avionics installation techs at the three main facilities (in Battle Creek, Michigan; Lincoln, Nebraska; and Provo, Utah) and at all 26 Duncan Aviation Avionics Satellite Shops and workaway stations throughout the country have performed hundreds of upgrades during the last several years, often combining the upgrade to ADS-B with inspections and other routine maintenance to condense downtime.

The company currently has space available for ADS-B work. Call the shop nearest you to schedule a time to upgrade your aircraft or fleet (www.duncanaviation.aero/locations/#satellites).

Yesterday, Tuesday, March 27, 2018, during an in-booth reception at the 61^st Annual Aircraft Electronics Association (AEA) International Convention & Trade Show in Las Vegas, Duncan Aviation was named a Gogo Business Aviation Top Dealer for 2017. Duncan Aviation received the highest Gogo Business Aviation dealer honor, The Gogo Business Aviation 51,000 Five. Representing a pinnacle of achievement, the award’s name was inspired by the highest altitude reached by aircraft in the business aviation industry–51,000 feet.

Dave Salvador, Vice President of Aftermarket Sales and Regional Managers Andy Fernandes and Chad Ostertag presented the award to Duncan Aviation Vice President of Components Services & Satellite Operations Mark Cote and Duncan Aviation Business Development Manager Kevin Miesbach. Cote and Miesbach accepted the award on behalf of Duncan Aviation but expressed there was a large group within the company who contributed a great deal of time and effort to achieve this status and all deserve to be recognized.

L to R: Gogo Vice President of Aftermarket Sales Dave Salvador, Gogo Regional Sales Manager Andy Fernandes, Duncan Aviation Vice President of Components Services & Satellite Operations Mark Cote, Duncan Aviation Business Development Manager Kevin Miesnach, and Gogo Regional Sales Manager Chad Ostertag.

“It is an honor to be recognized as one of Gogo's top dealers again this year,” says Cote. “But everyone from the technical expert who wrote the sales quotes to the engineers who drew up the prints, and from the technicians who installed the systems to the quality control personnel who returned the aircraft back to service all deserve to be recognized for their contributions.” He went on to say that without the outstanding teamwork that goes on every day at Duncan Aviation, this accomplishment wouldn't be possible. This is the sixth time Duncan Aviation has received the Top Dealer Award dating back to 2011.

Duncan Aviation is a market leader in business aircraft internet installations with Wi-Fi and is proud to partner with Gogo. Their products have met and exceeded customer needs and expectations for both aircraft communications and High Speed Data solutions.

Broadband internet systems with in-flight Wi-Fi capability can be completed at any of Duncan Aviation’s major service locations in Battle Creek, Michigan; Lincoln, Nebraska; or Provo, Utah. In addition, upgrades can be completed at any of Duncan Aviation’s avionics satellite locations. For a complete list of Duncan Aviation's avionics locations, go to www.DuncanAviation.aero/locations.

Demand for talented engineering services within business aviation seems to be at an all-time high. In 2017, Duncan Aviation made its Engineering & Certification Services available for projects throughout the aerospace industry. Although the company’s engineering and certification professionals have always been available to assist other companies, Duncan Aviation expanded its services to include a team dedicated solely to supporting external requests.

Sean Davenport, a member of that team of experienced engineering professionals, will be available to talk with operators and OEMs interested in these services at the AEA (Aircraft Electronics Association) International Convention & Trade Show in Las Vegas, Nevada, from March 26-29, 2018.  

Sean is an Inspection Unit Member for Duncan Aviation’s ODA and Project Planner for  the company’s highly regarded Engineering & Certification Services Alterations Planning Team. With more than 20 years of experience at Duncan Aviation, four years in the United States Navy as an avionics electrician, a degree in avionics from Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and a certified A&P maintenance tech, Sean is fully prepared to provide information and answer questions about engineering and certification. 

Sean will be available to consult with both  aircraft owners and operators interested in completing special projects as well ascompanies looking for assistance with engineering and certification projects, such as STCs (Supplemental Type Certificates) or PMAs (Parts Manufacturer Approvals). 

“With my broad experience at Duncan Aviation, I’m ready to answer questions that come my way at AEA or anytime. I understand aircraft systems, engineering, and certification and the process for developing STCs, PMAs, and MRAs (Major Repair and Alterations),” says Sean Davenport. “I can give customers approximate costs for STCs and PMAs and give them an idea of what the challenges might be with their potential projects.”

With regard to buying aircraft certified in a country other than the United States, Sean can also guide customers through the often seemingly complicated process of securing FAA or international approval and certification. He’s worked with customers who have bought aircraft from around the world, including from Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Isle of Man, Cayman Islands, and many countries in Europe, and he’s dealt with the Civil Airworthiness Authorities in those countries, as well. 

Sean and his wife Nicole have been married for 18 years and have two teen-aged daughters. Although they’re from opposite coasts (Sean is from upstate New York, and Nicole is from Orange County, California), they met in Tulsa when they were students. They’ve made a life for themselves and their daughters on the Great Plains, and in their rather scarce free time, they enjoy traveling, making home improvements, and spending time outdoors camping, fishing, and hiking. 

To learn more about the capabilities of Duncan Aviation’s Engineering & Certification Services, make an appointment to meet with Sean. Contact Sean at +1 402.475.2611 or Sean.Davenport@DuncanAviation.com.

Early on, when the Duncan Aviation avionics, instrument and accessory component repair shops were established, we recognized that our success wasn’t going to come on its own just because we opened our doors. From the beginning, we have developed connections and nurtured relationships with many of our OEM industry partners.

Since 1973, we have signed partnering agreements with more than 25 OEMs. These connections are a priority for Duncan Aviation because they lead to a better experience for our mutual customers.

Watch Competitive Advantage-OEM video

It was important to build those relationships in the 1950s when Founder Donald Duncan was selling aircraft, and it is crucial today as we continue to grow our components repair services.

Below are three of our valued OEM partnerships

ACSS/L3

As a result of their vast experience with and knowledge of legacy instruments and components, L3 Aviation Products was pleased to sign a service agreement with Duncan Aviation, allowing them to provide service and support of legacy mechanical gyros and power supplies.

ACSS and Duncan Aviation also collaborated on the development of the AML STC in support of the ADS-B Out program, providing a turnkey solution for business jet operators. 

—Dennis McCole, ACSS/L3Strategic Marketing & Business Development

Dan McKenzie, Duncan Aviation Team Leader

The alliance between L3 and Duncan Aviation spans nearly 45 years. My L3 contacts are quick to answer any questions I have and are committed to making sure we are up-to-date on all the latest repair procedures, offering factory training anytime we request it. When it comes to parts, L3’s response time is reliably quick, allowing us to be more responsive to our customers. We see many L3 units in our shop. 

Honeywell

There are many benefits to aligning ourselves with authorized channel partners such as Duncan Aviation. Chief among them is that our mutual customers have a better experience. Duncan Aviation has collaborated with Honeywell for more than 40 years, delivering a consistent message, pricing, and quality component service. The relationship between Honeywell and Duncan Aviation is extremely good regarding our sales and customer business team. Our ability to communicate candidly and work together is remarkable. I credit Duncan Aviation’s sales staff and leadership team for helping us grow the partnership. 

—Mike Marcum, Honeywell Sr. Manager

Rick Conner, Duncan Aviation Team Leader

Having an established, trusted relationship with the OEMs always benefits the end-user. In many cases, we openly collaborate with manufacturers to provide new services or work though problems that result in improved product quality and better customer relations. By giving us access to updated OEM manuals and access to parts for older units, we provide quicker turntimes, higher quality repairs, and a resource that helps keep legacy aircraft flying.

Rockwell Collins

Installing and maintaining aircraft avionics and cabin systems is complicated business. To best serve our mutual customers’ needs and wants, Duncan Aviation and Rockwell Collins have forged a 50-year working relationship based on a foundation of trust and effective communication. By sharing our collective knowledge, technical information, and skills, we serve our common customers as a team. To demonstrate this, we recently named Duncan Aviation an authorized service provider for repair, service and modification of the Collins TDR-94 and TDR-94D transponders. They are able to repair, install and upgrade modifications of these units at their main facility in Lincoln, Nebraska, as well as through their satellite avionics facilities located throughout the United States. Together we make the business of maintaining aircraft avionics and cabin systems easier to navigate.

—John Spellmeyer, Rockwell Collins Central US Regional Sales Manager

Dustin Johnson, Duncan Aviation Team Leader

As I work with Rockwell Collins, it is easy to see they have the end-customer’s best interest in mind. Our authorization to perform the upgrade on the Rockwell Collins TDR94/94D units speaks volumes about the trust they have in our capabilities to support the Rockwell Collins brand. They go out of their way to make sure we have what we need in order to meet the needs of our customers. I would stand by Rockwell Collins all day long. My contact there has never failed me.

“By standing on the shoulders of giants,” that is how Bob Tooker credits any success he has had.

The Charles Taylor  Master Mechanic Award is named in honor of Charles Taylor, the first aviation mechanic in powered flight. Taylor served as the Wright brothers' mechanic and is credited with designing and building the engine for their first successful aircraft. The award recognizes the lifetime accomplishments of senior mechanics.

As a farm kid from Silver Creek, NE, Bob's giants included his father and Uncle Norman who, he says, “must have saw something in me because they always allowed me to tag along and spent so much time teaching and showing me how things worked.” While on the farm, active in 4-H and Junior Leadership, he always had his eyes in the sky. From a young age he had a love of airplanes, and knew he wanted to get involved but didn’t know how.

Bob joined the U.S. Navy in 1967 and was sent to Avionics School in Memphis, TN, after he tested very high with an aptitude for aviation. His first duty station was in Pensacola, FL, with Helicopter Training Squadron 8 (HT8) as a Line avionics tech/Quality inspector. Then on to Naval Air Station Mirimar (San Diego) with Fighter Squadron 51 (VF51) with a side trip to Vietnam. He went on to earn his A&P certificate at Spartan School of Aeronautics in Tulsa, OK.

In 1974, at a time when there were only 17 aircraft mechanics, Bob came to work at Duncan Aviation working on early model Learjets, Bonanzas, Barons, and King Air aircraft. It wasn’t long before he began leading his own teams through major inspections. His first job as lead mechanic was for the 10 year, 10,000 hour demates inspection on a Learjet 23 and 24. He admits this first leadership run was a bit intimidating, but when he went on his first test flight with Harry Barr, an aviation legend in his own right, doing test stalls and wing checks, it pretty much sealed the deal for Bob on his love for aviation. He was in it for the long haul.

One of his favorite projects was the disassembly, transportation, and reassembly of a Learjet 35 that can be seen hanging in Terminal 3 of the Denver International Airport.

He encountered more giants in his career at Duncan Aviation. Giants like Joe Huffman Sr., and Bernard Michael, both previous Charles Taylor Master Mechanic Award winners, and Kent Kussatz. According to Bob, Joe was the best troubleshooter he ever saw. Bernard was slow, steady, and calm in his work, a real mentor. And Kent put a lot of trust in him that helped his confidence grow. Bob advanced quickly to other leadership roles including shop supervisor.

It was in 1984 he was asked to be on the ground floor in the development of a new division of Duncan Aviation, AVPAC (Aviation Parts, Avionics, & Components), that would manage an extensive inventory of aircraft avionics and parts available for sale. Bob traveled across the country buying old or wrecked aircraft to be parted out or inspecting potential parts consignments, helping build the inventory from scratch. For the remainder of his career, Bob wore many hats, including inventory quality control, and sales rep. He decided after 43 years, it was time to retire.

He wife Cheryl has been by his side through most of his career in aviation. He met her on a blind date set up by an old classmate. They married in April of 1972 and together, have two children and four grandchildren.

Bob has a lot of gratitude for Robert Duncan, Chairman Emeritus Duncan Aviation. “I always felt encouraged and empowered by the trust Robert in me early in my career. I want to thank him for the fun ride.”

Teamwork, ingenuity, and technical know-how…That’s how Duncan Aviation removes corrosion in the bores of the main landing gear forward trunnions on the bottom side of the wing. We are also the only MRO with the tooling and capabilities to perform this FAA-accepted repair procedure, and we can do it in less than a week.

Lead Machinist Mark Leppky and Master Machinist Todd Hoffman

How It All Began

Nearly 10 years ago, during a scheduled quick-turn airframe inspection, significant corrosion was found in several areas of the aircraft, including the forward trunnion bores. At the time, there were only two options: Clean the corrosion using a standard hone or remove the wing and have it shipped by truck to the OEM for repair in their fixture. The hone method works by cleaning slight surface corrosion but can easily create an oval where a concentric bore is required if you’re trying to remove extensive corrosion. The second option is more precise, but the downtime is sometimes six months or more.

Duncan Aviation’s Machine Shop researched an alternative repair. The team members designed, engineered, and fabricated a fixture in-house to ream the bores. There was just one critical hurdle to overcome: This fixture had to be mounted on the underside of the wing and hold the correct concentricity and axis alignment with no other points of reference but the hole itself. After extensive research and development, Duncan Aviation designed and developed a fixture that met all requirements and successfully removed the corrosion, staying within allowable limits.

Since then, the fixture has been called into service a number of times on other aircraft, all with the same excellent results.

Repairs on the Road

Most recently, Lead Machinist Mark Leppky and Master Machinist Todd Hoffman took the tooling on the road. The end-customer, an air ambulance operator based in South America, needed the quickest repair possible.

In preparation for the road trip, Mark and Todd inspected the kits, made extra pins, and ensured everything was packed, right down to a cotton swab. On the road, “you don’t have the luxury of walking back to the shop and getting what you need,” says Mark.

They arrived on a Monday and quickly went to work. Through a series of pins, Mark and Todd slowly removed the corrosion by hand, layer by layer, .0325 of an inch at a time. The process requires continual communication and several checks and balances to maintain accuracy. After every cut, the bore’s diameter is checked and the depth measured to make sure it remains square to the back. After the final cut, the bore was within .0002 of tolerance.

“The tolerances are very tight with no room for error,” says Mark. “You get very accurate results following our processes and doing it by hand using sharp tooling, quality fixtures, and being careful.”

The final step is to use the cotton swab to alodine and acid etch the bores before installing a custom- fabricated bushing to bring the bore back to correct diameter. By Friday afternoon, Mark and Todd were packing their kits and getting ready to head home with another successful trunnion repair in the books.

The innovation behind the creation of this wing fixture wasn’t because Duncan Aviation created new technology. It came about because our team members used manual data and regular tooling to conceive of and develop a new method for repair. That resourcefulness and innovation is what sets Duncan Aviation apart. New ideas and test capabilities are developed by taking a different approach to the same information to meet customer needs and change future expectations.

Competitive Advantage: Continuous Improvement

We're not satisfied with standing still. 

Duncan Aviation and its multi-shop capabilities can save you a whole lot of money. 

For instance, if you’re planning to refurbish your aircraft interior, consider adding an internet connection or upgrading your existing service to one with faster speeds at the same time.

For both jobs—refurbishing an interior and installing/upgrading an internet connection—your interior will need to be removed.

Typically, an aircraft is down for two weeks to install an internet connection, and it usually takes longer to refurbish an interior. Completing the projects simultaneously won’t add time to the work scope.

Combining the two projects saves on labor costs because your interior will have to be removed and re-installed only once. Performed separately, you will incur labor costs every time your interior is removed and re-installed.

When you’re ready to install new or upgrade your existing aircraft Wi-Fi, call the knowledgeable Avionics Service and Sales Representatives at Duncan Aviation or visit our web site for more information: www.DuncanAviation.aero/services/avionics-installation

Do you know how to close the outside baggage door on your Falcon 900 without having to turn on any generator or battery switches? Or have you heard we expanded our Honeywell Primus II Capabilities? No? Then you haven't read the December issue of the Duncan Intelligence.

December Duncan Intelligence

Falcon 900: Closing the Baggage Door
Want to know how to close the outside baggage door on your Falcon 900 without having to turn on any generator or battery switches in the cockpit?

Citation Sovereign Inspection Safety
Citation Sovereign has many items that come due at high hours/cycles. We have performed work on items that the rest of the fleet has yet to realize will be required.

CASP Elite And ADS-B
There are many advantages offered with the CASP Elite aftermarket warranty program that specifically target ADS-B upgrades.

Cessna CIL-21-03: Water Separator Corrosion Repair
Duncan Aviation has the proper tooling to provide Cessna operators a more cost-effective option with a reasonable turntime on Cessna CIL-21-03.

Duncan Aviation Adds To Honeywell Primus II Capabilities
We've added repair and overhaul capabilities for the primary interface used to control the Primus II radio system in the Primus 1000 and Primus 2000 flight decks.  

 

Scott Kruce Joins Duncan Aviation’s Avionics Install Sales Team Read more.

Duncan Aviation Parts & Rotables Sales Open 24/7/365 Search Now

The Duncan Intelligence is a free, technical newsletter for business aircraft owners and operators. Written in-house by Duncan Aviation's technical representatives, each edition includes technical tips and advice on topics and trends in business aviation. It is a free, monthly e-mail subscription for aviation enthusiasts around the world.

Duncan Aviation Aircraft Sales Representative Doug Roth has seen a great many changes in his 42 years in the aviation business. Aircraft have grown in size and sophistication, and Doug has seen changes in tastes and preferences, too.

Today, buyers who are in the market for a new aircraft echo the sentiments of their terrestrial home-buyers in that they want a move-in-ready, or take-to-the-skies-ready, aircraft.

Buyers don’t want to immediately put down an aircraft for several weeks for costly upgrades after buying it. They want an aircraft equipped with state-of-the-art avionics, including Wi-Fi.

An aircraft with Wi-Fi lets cabin passengers stay connected in-flight, meaning they can access the internet, send and receive email, and more.

That means owners who are planning to see their aircraft won’t escape the connectivity issue by selling their aircraft.

“If you’re selling your aircraft to a buyer who will put it on a 135 or charter certificate, the buyer definitely wants an internet connection, and that affects the value of the airplane,” says Duncan Aviation’s Aircraft Sales Representative Doug Roth. “The lack of internet drops the sale price by the cost of the installation. Because the aircraft will have to be removed from service for the duration of the installation, factor in the cost of the downtime, as well.”

Roth goes on to say that roughly 75-80% of the buyers of private aircraft want an internet connection, so again, an internet connection adds to the value of the aircraft; conversely, the sale price of an aircraft without a connection will drop by the cost of the equipment and installation, including the downtime.

“Even with the small number of buyers who see zero value for themselves in having a connected aircraft, we point out that installing internet adds at least 50% of the installation cost to the aircraft resale value,” says Roth. “The majority of buyers looking for aircraft today want an internet connection.”

If you are planning to buy or sell an aircraft and have questions about the often complicated process, give the members of our Aircraft Sales & Acquisitions team a call.