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

   

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Duncan Aviation President Testifies Before Congressional Committee 

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. 

 

...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.

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.

Aaron Hilkemann, Duncan Aviation’s CEO was recently elected as the Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) for 2015. He has been a member of GAMA for three years and has served as the Chairman of the Airworthiness & Maintenance Policy Committee for the last twelve months. 

GAMA has one primary purpose: to advocate for the “welfare, safety, interests and activities of general aviation.” They strive to help the public have a better understanding of general aviation and how it plays an important role in the economic growth of our communities.

Member-companies represent over 80 of the world’s leading manufacturers, general aviation airplanes and rotorcraft, engines, avionics, components, and related services.

According to the GAMA website, the Airworthiness & Maintenance Policy Committee (AMP) represents the interests of General Aviation manufacturers and maintenance organizations on regulatory and policy issues that affect the continuing airworthiness and maintenance of general aviation products. The AMP works collaboratively with regulatory agencies and other associations that represent the broader maintenance and repair station industry. 

Aaron has served as the Past Chairman of the AMAC (Associate Member Advisory Council) of NBAA and has also served on the Board of Directors of the NBAA.

As President and CEO, Aaron Hilkemann provides strategic leadership and direction to Duncan Aviation to ensure future development and growth for the enterprise. He leads a 14-member Senior Management Team responsible for the tactical and daily operation of all Duncan Aviation's locations.

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.

Recently, Duncan Aviation partnered with Raising Cane’s and organized a coat drive for the People’s City Mission of Lincoln, Nebraska. The drive resulted in 119 coat donations to keep others in the community warm this winter.

This is Duncan Aviation's first year partnering with Raising Cane's, which is in its eigth year running the coat drive. The goal is to raise 2,500 coats in 2014, and Duncan Aviation saw this as an opportunity to combine our green initiatives with our strong support of volunteerism in the community to help Raising Cane’s reach its goal.

Generous team members cleaned out their coat closets and brought in one or more coats in exchange for a Buy One Get One coupon from Raising Cane’s.

“Coats can be taken directly to all three Raising Cane's Lincoln, locations during the month of October, but many of our team members live out of town and don’t have the opportunity to drop off coats. Duncan Aviation made it convenient for team members to participate by collecting coats on-site,” says Kaela Paseka, lead graphics designer at Duncan Aviation and a member of the Green Team.

Four years ago Duncan Aviation brought a group of team members together from all across the company with the goal of researching and implementing "green" initiatives that will save energy and money, reduce waste and give precise focus to innovative efforts, as well as strategic priorities. As a group, they wanted not only to impact change while at work, but also to encourage change in the daily lives of all Duncan Aviation team members. Their message is that even small changes can have a large impact.

This year, Duncan Aviation's Green Team has devised a plan to remove Styrofoam cups from break rooms beginning in 2015 and will continue to provide education to team members on how to go green, find recycling locations, track down donation sites and brush up on recycling facts.

During the first two days of the 2014 National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) Meeting and Convention in Orlando, Florida, Duncan Aviation has been recognized separately by three OEMs as a top dealer.

Duncan Aviation’s 2014 NBAA Awards

Duncan Aviation President Aaron Hilkemann was present to accept many of these awards and believes they represent the great relationships Duncan Aviation shares with its OEM partners. “Duncan Aviation is founded on the principle of working together with all of our OEM partners to provide our mutual customers with an experience unlike any other in the business jet market.”

Universal Avionics 2014 Top Dealer in North America

During an in-booth reception on Wednesday, Universal Avionics awarded Duncan Aviation the 2014 Top Dealer in North America. This is the third consecutive year Duncan Aviation has received this honor. 

This award represents the outstanding performance of only one North American dealer out of several hundred in its Authorized Dealer network.

Universal Avionics President and Chairman Joachim "Ted" Naimer and CEO Paul DeHerrera presented the award to Duncan Aviation’s Chairman Emeritus Robert Duncan and John Slieter, Duncan Aviation Vice President of Sales.

 

2014 Bombardier Authorized Service Facility Excellence Award for North America

Also on Wednesday, Duncan Aviation’s Provo, Utah, facility was recognized by Bombardier as the top authorized service facility in North America for its superior support of Bombardier customers.

Duncan Aviation's Aaron Hilkemann, Chairman and CEO Todd Duncan and Robert Duncan, accepted the award from Stan Younger, Bombardier Business Aircraft Vice President, Service Centers and Chris Milligan, Director, Authorized Service Facilities for Bombardier.

This is the fourth year in a row that a Duncan Aviation facility has received this award. In previous years, Duncan Aviation’s full service facilities in Battle Creek, Michigan, and Lincoln, Nebraska, have been recognized.

TrueNorth Top Tier Dealer for 2014

Duncan Aviation received recognition Tuesday afternoon from TrueNorth Avionics as one of the company’s Top Tier Dealers for 2014, representing TrueNorth’s Simphone product line.

John Slieter accepted the award from TrueNorth’s CEO Mark van Berkel.

More than 30 Duncan Aviation representatives are attending NBAA this year, representing several Duncan Aviation services, including airframe and engine services, paint and interior modifications, avionics and parts support and aircraft sales and acquisitions.

Stop by the Duncan Aviation NBAA booth #208 to congratulate the team.