The Duncan Download Blog: Business Aviation Advice & Observations

You can always dream, but Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) exemptions fall into roughly the same category as unicorns.

When Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus introduced a live unicorn into its lineup in 1985, it created quite a stir. The question that swirled around the animal was whether it was a real horn. Although the horn was real, many people ignored the most important fact; the animal was a goat.

In much the same way, there has been much misunderstanding with regard to a recent ADS-B exemption letter from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Some operators heard ADS-B and exemption in the same sentence and immediately began planning for non-compliance. The reality though is that in 2020 an ADS-B transponder exemption is as likely as Ringling Bros. having an actual unicorn at one of their shows.

The controversy started when Airlines for America, the trade organization that represents the principle U.S. airlines, sent the FAA a request for an exemption. The exemption request indicated that much of the airline fleet was not currently equipped with Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS) Global Positioning System (GPS) units that supported the required navigational performance. Airlines for America also noted that the required performance—even for the correct WAAS GPS—was not always possible. In light of that, the organization requested that the GPS section of the ADS-B mandate be extended to 2025.

The part of the letter that most folks missed was that it only applies to the portion of the ADS-B mandate that deals with new WAAS requirements for GPS. A transponder that transmits in an ADS-B message format is required to operate above 10,000 feet by 2020.

The FAA agreed with Airlines for America and granted a temporary exemption from the GPS accuracy portion of ADS-B. The FAA has since been getting out the word that operators are still required to have an ADS-B-compliant transponder to meet the mandate. (Visit www.DuncanAviation.aero/nextgen for current information on the mandates.)

Owner/operators who opt for an exemption must submit an annual request to the director of the local Flight Standards District Offices (FSDO) until the aircraft is equipped with the mandated receivers. This annual request must include a plan for an eventual upgrade to the mandated WAAS GPS and is subject to approval. For aircraft that are scheduled for major inspections at a facility where a WAAS GPS installation is available, your FSDO may deny your request. “I don’t want to upgrade,” may not be a good reason to apply for an exemption.

With manufacturers, such as Universal Avionics, Honeywell Aerospace and Rockwell Collins offering incentive programs for Flight Management Systems (FMSes) and transponder upgrades, now is the time to include new WAAS/Localizer Performance with Vertical Guidance (LPV) and ADS-B in your aircraft’s budget at your next major inspection.

Don’t bet on the unicorn.

For the most current information on the NextGen mandates visit 

Adrian Chene is an avionics tech rep for Duncan Aviation providing troubleshooting and technical advice to business aviation operators on avionics installation services. He specializes in custom, integrated HSD solutions. He began working in aviation in 1996.

In 2015, we celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Duncan Aviation Avionics Satellite Network with locations at the busiest business airports across the United States. And to think it all started with a trip to the store to buy shoes. 

In the early 1980s, Karen and Robert Duncan were shopping for shoes in Hovland Swanson, a locally owned department store in Lincoln, Nebraska. The experience was a pleasant one, and Robert mentioned to the manager how impressed he had been with the salesman’s knowledge and efficiency. The manager then surprised Robert by telling him that Hovland Swanson knew what it didn’t know about shoes and had asked a national retailer to rent space in the shoe department and sell its shoes at Hovland Swanson.

The partnership worked; the national retailer had access to Hovland Swanson’s local customers, and the customers had access to well-made shoes sold locally by a national retailer.

The experience reminded Robert of Duncan Aviation’s busy avionics shop. The techs had the skill and expertise to fix anything, but there were a finite number of them, and they were located in Lincoln while potential customers with avionics problems were at airports in other cities around the country.

With the model of Hovland Swanson and the national shoe retailer in mind, Robert conceived of a similar business model for Duncan Aviation. He envisioned a series of partnerships with well-respected shops at busy airports around the country. There were several established shops that catered to our core aircraft but lacked an aircraft avionics presence.  

“At this point, I give credit for the whole program to Don Fiedler,” says Robert. “It was my concept, but it was Don Fiedler who ran with it.”

Robert harnessed Don’s energy to his vision and within two years, Duncan Aviation had opened its first satellite location at the William P. Hobby Airport in Houston, Texas. Hopkins International Airport in Cleveland, Ohio followed later that year, and in 1986, Duncan Aviation added two more satellite avionics shops.

“I looked for business partners who shared Duncan Aviation’s ideals of exemplary service and integrity,” says Don.

In the intervening 30 years, Duncan Aviation has added 21 more shops at airports near our customers in an effort to make avionics work on their aircraft or parts as easy and convenient as possible. We now have a network of 25 avionics satellite shops around the United States from Seattle to Fort Lauderdale and Bridgeport to Van Nuys.

Inflight internet was the ubiquitous gift of the digital age. The engineers and equipment manufacturers in some cases were so focused on connectivity that security often had to take a backseat. The result was weakness in the system’s ability to withstand a cyber-attack.

Whether an aircraft owner is a private individual or a large corporation, it is clear that everyone needs to consider data security in their flight operations. Most airborne IT security concerns fall into three main areas: service provider security, physical security, and your individual software and hardware policies. While this initial discussion is a 50,000 foot view of airborne data security, the following articles in this series will delve deeper into the particulars.

Service providers are the gatekeepers of your traffic in many circumstances, whether you are using Inmarsat Satcom, 3G, or GoGo. They are responsible for making sure that the data sent and received is not intercepted in a manner that is usable by others for nefarious purposes. They are also responsible for defending their data centers against service interruptions by potential man-made or natural disasters. 

Physical IT security is also very important. Many intelligence operations involve theft or tampering with portable electronic devices. These can be laptops or cell phones. These sorts of attacks are more common than most would like to admit and often lead to individuals being personally compromised.

Your individual IT policies have a lot to do with how safe you are. Using a WEP Encrypted Wi-Fi connection on the ground at Teterboro could have disastrous results for your VIP, not to mention your Satcom bill. The myth often shared by people is that hacking or identity theft is something that happens to the “other person.” The sad reality is that there are always barbarians at our digital gates whether we choose to acknowledge them or not.

When I watched the movie “Hackers” in 1995, the notion of teenagers masterminding an attack on a corporate mainframe seemed pretty pie-in-the-sky. The reality though is that there have been numerous examples of children cracking into secure servers even at the DOD level.

We are all under attack. The goal is not make your aircraft an impenetrable IT fortress. The aim should be to make others an easier target and prevent the most crippling attacks.

Adrian Chene is an Avionics Tech Rep for Duncan Aviation. He provides troubleshooting and technical advice on avionics installation services, and specializes in custom, integrated HSD solutions. He began working in aviation in 1996.

Do any of you remember when the Reduced Vertical Separation Minimum (RVSM) mandate went into effect on January 20, 2005? There were 6,500 business aircraft that required upgrades for that mandate, and most installation facilities were at capacity for two full years prior to that deadline.

After the RVSM mandate went into effect, many operators were forced to fly below 29,000 feet until they upgraded their equipment. And some were inconvenienced for quite some time because installation facilities were filled to capacity for an entire year after the deadline.

As most business aircraft owner/operators know, the Federal Aviation Administration set a January 1, 2020 deadline to comply with the Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) mandate. That deadline is approximately 1,130 working days away, and the FAA estimates there are 18,500 business aircraft (Amstat, Jets and Turboprops) that still need to upgrade their equipment.

If any of those business Part 25 aircraft intend to fly above 10,000 feet and in and out of airports with control towers after Jan. 1, 2020, they are going to have to be equipped with a WAAS/SBAS GPS, a 1090MHz Mode S Extended Squitter (1090ES) transponder and cockpit failure annuciators.

Facilities with avionics capabilities like Duncan Aviation have capacity today to handle the increased volume. In the coming months, though, as more and more aircraft need to schedule equipment upgrades, they’ll have to compete for hangar space with aircraft that are scheduled for inspections and maintenance events. Additionally, many avionics manufacturers are offering incentives today, but as the deadline approaches and demand increases, prices will definitely go up.

There are roughly three times as many business aircraft that require ADS-B Out equipment than required RVSM equipment, and without the ADS-B upgrades, those aircraft won’t be merely inconvenienced; they’ll be grounded until they comply.

When it comes to business aviation, I always tell my customers, “Best equipped, best served.”

For access the latest and most complete information about the upcoming mandates, go to Duncan Aviation's online Nextgen resource.

Contributed by Mark Francetic, regional avionics sales manager

"As we grow, our issues are not just our issues, but issues we share with others. By becoming active members of our industry associations, we have an opportunity to be side-by-side with our industry peers, competitors and customers, to learn their concerns and needs so that we can come alongside them and help them exactly when they need us. It is only through the conversations and relationships we gain by being active in these associations that we move our industry forward."  

Todd Duncan, Duncan Aviation chairman

Duncan Aviation has been a member of the Aviation Electronics Association (AEA) since 1970 after Ron Hall (above), a retired Duncan Aviation avionics sales rep, attended his first AEA convention in Kansas City.

According to Ron, those early conventions were small, with only about 150 people and booths consisting of little more than cardboard structures with a table.

In those early days, AEA drew companies together to discuss their frustrations and share their ideas and successes with the latest technical information. Even though many were competitors, they shared anyway in order to make the industry better. Ron says it was this collaboration that helped Duncan Aviation to grow from a small radio and instrument shop into an experienced facility with technicians specializing in the maintenance, repair and installation of the latest in avionics technology.

Duncan Aviation Avionics Sales Rep Ron Hal was an AEA board member for 20 years.

Shortly after his first convention, Ron joined the AEA Board of Directors and stayed for 20 years. During those two decades, Duncan Aviation hosted three regional meetings in Lincoln, Nebraska.

In 1985, Ron was named the AEA Member of the Year. And because of his dedication and continued involvement in AEA during his entire career, he received the AEA Lifetime Achievement Award in 2011—the highest honor bestowed on an AEA member.

Duncan Aviation's AEA involvement and influence didn't end with Ron's retirement. Gary Harpster, avionics installation sales rep, stepped up and actively participated at several regional and national AEA events. As a well-known expert in the industry on NextGen technology, he has presented educational sessions to operators around the world.

Gary was an active board member, serving as vice chairman and chairman of the board for several years. He also served on the AEA Trusteeship Committee and was named 2008 AEA Member of the Year.

Another chapter in Duncan Aviation's AEA history unfolded in 2014, when Mike Minchow, manager of completions and avionics sales, was among the newly elected directors selected by the members of AEA.

Today, AEA boasts nearly 1,300 member companies in 43 countries.

In The Trenches

Business aviation association governing boards work to benefit our industry as a whole, bringing about long-term changes and future growth. But oftentimes, it’s in the trenches of the subcommittees and regional events where the day-to-day issues that impact business aviation are addressed. Many of Duncan Aviation’s tech reps, department leaders, regional managers and sales representatives meet many times a year in these industry subcommittees.

AEA Subcommittee

Mike Chick, manager of engineering certification—SMS/21

Duncan Aviation's Battle Creek, Michigan, avionics team recently rolled out an off-site avionics service that allows business aircraft operators in the Chicago area to schedule comprehensive avionics line service in their hangars and at their airports instead of at one of Duncan Aviation's maintenance facilities.

"We value our many customers and contacts in the Chicago area and want to make sure they receive the avionics line support they need," says Paul Cummings, avionics manager at Duncan Aviation's Battle Creek facility. "So we have evaluated our avionics team and determined a way to provide scheduled in-the-field service for operators at the Chicago area airports. This saves the customer fuel and travel time, decreases their aircraft usage and makes avionics line maintenance events less disruptive to their overall schedules."

To schedule avionics line service in Chicago, call +1 630.207.7460.

Here are other in-field services available to operators across the United States.

Engine

Duncan Aviation also continues to staff an engine Rapid Response Team (RRT) in the Chicago area. Duncan Aviation engine service offices support AOG engine emergencies and scheduled engine maintenance events at our full service facilities in Lincoln, Nebraska, and Battle Creek, with RRTs supporting operators in the field. Each service office is interdependent, sharing staff and resources to support customers wherever and whenever they need engine service. To reach Duncan Aviation's engine RRT services, call 877.522.0111.

In-The-Field Interior

Duncan Aviation interior service specialists are able to provide scheduled, unscheduled and road trip interior service to customers requiring aircraft interior needs outside of a major Duncan Aviation facility.

In-The-Field Maintenance

Duncan Aviation has airframe maintenance teams ready to spring into action when needed for scheduled and unscheduled maintenance services in the field. Duncan Aviation has several company aircraft at its disposal to help move people, tools and parts quickly to best meet customer needs.

It was a massive amount of work completed in a short amount of time. However, it still delivered on time and squawk-free with a transformation nothing short of spectacular. 

When this Falcon 900B arrived at Duncan Aviation, the interior workscope completely changed at the last minute, allowing very little time to preplan the changes and nearly nothing for material lead time.

We think we nailed it. What do you think? 

Interior Transformation

Before and after

Left-hand aft divan added replacing two club seat and a closet. Read the 2015 Spring Duncan Debrief for more interior before and after photos.

Avionics Upgrade

 EFIS to CDS/R. Read the 2015 Spring Duncan Debrief for the complete list of avionics upgrades.

Exterior Enhancements

New LoPresti BoomBeam landing lights. Complete new exterior paint scheme. Read the 2015 Spring Duncan Debrief for more exterior enhancements. 

The Aircraft Electronics Association (AEA) declared the 58^th annual AEA International Convention & Trade Show a success with record 1,897 attendees. According to reports about the traffic in Duncan Aviation’s booth from our team members who were at the show, most of the attendees must have stopped by.

By and large, the best part of AEA was the face-to-face connections made with customers and vendors, both old and new.

Here are some photos and personal highlights from several of Duncan Aviation team members who were in Dallas, Texas, at AEA 2015.

Larry Troyer, avionics instruments tech rep

The biggest highlight for me was meeting face-to-face with some customers I have worked with on the phone. It was good to establish those relationships and renew old ones.

Scott McKenzie, avionics instrument tech rep

My highlight for this conference would be the same as all of the others that I have attended in the past. That is the opportunity to meet the customer's face-to-face that I communicate with on a regular basis, either on the phone or email. The personal interaction seems to go a long way in helping build not only a good working relationship, but in many cases true friendships as well. 

Duncan Aviation Avionics Instruments Tech reps (L to R) Dan magnus, Scott McKenzie, Larry Troyer, Curt Campbell. 

Dan Magnus, avionics instrument tech rep

I found a lot of good information about upcoming requirements, such as ADS-B available.  

Vince Cruickshank, rotable sales manager

I enjoyed being able to connect with so many long-time and new customer vendors in one venue. We spoke about the new growth between our companies and how we can better serve each other’s needs.

Mike Morgan, avionics sales rep

I always enjoy being able to connect with our vendors and build on those relationships, as well as, connect with potential new vendors and new products coming to market. Also during the convention this year I was able to get a better perspective of the state of the business aviation industry.

Michael Meyer, avionics team leader

There were more learning opportunities than I could possibly take advantage of. I was happy with the educational sessions I was able to attend. The main themes were ADS-B and connectivity. And the message I got is that the ADS-B mandate will not change and we have a lot of work to do by the end of 2019.

While walking the convention floor, I was able to see some of the new equipment we will be using in the near future.  

Vince Cruickshank and Jamie Blackman with Taylor Mason from Aerotex International.

Jamie Blackman, rotable manager

This year’s convention was great!  I had the opportunity to meet several people and vendors for the first time, many of which I've been working with on the phone for years!  It's nice to put a face to the voice. Vince Cruickshank and I had a wonderful opportunity to tour the offices of Aerotex International, a Duncan customer and vendor. 

Brian Leffers, avionics install manager

My highlights were moving specific programs forward with several avionics OEMs, such as The highlights of my conference experience was being able to move specific programs forward by asking questions and addressing concerns with several avionics OEMs, such as GoGo, Universal, Collins and Honeywell.

An article by Duncan Aviation’s Regional Avionics Sales Manager, Mark Francetic, was recently featured in the Business Aviation Advisor. He talks about the greatest benefits to the NextGen system and how the future of flying, even though there will be more aircraft in less space, will be safer and more efficient.

You can read “For The Safety of Our Skies” here.

Francetic is traveling across the United States this year conducting free NextGen seminars to present useful, practical information about not only the technology but also precisely what equipment operators need to outfit and/or retrofit aircraft to comply with the mandates stipulated in the rapidly approaching 2020 deadline

For the current list of speaking events, see the schedule here: http://www.duncanaviation.aero/events/index.php

As the January 2020 ADS-B deadline gets closer every day, the questions keep pouring in. At Duncan Aviation, it is our goal to provide operators with the most accurate information in a clear, concise manner and to answer their most pressing questions.

Mark Francetic, a regional avionics sales manager with Duncan Aviation, will be doing just that at the Aircraft Electronics Association's (AEA's) 58th Annual International Convention and Trade Show being held April 8-11 in Dallas.

Francetic will give a presentation at 8 a.m. on Friday, April 10, where he will present useful, practical information about not only the technology but also precisely what equipment operators need to outfit and/or retrofit aircraft to comply with the mandates stipulated in the rapidly approaching 2020 deadline

Experience. In Action.

In addition to Francetic's class, Duncan Aviation will be educating and assisting attendees at the show in the company's booth at #411/510. Back by popular demand, Duncan Aviation's four Avionics and Instrument Tech Reps, Curt Campbell, Dan Magnus, Scott McKenzie and Larry Troyer, will be fielding live technical troubleshooting questions on-site during open Exhibit Hall hours.

They will be answering emails and phone calls from operators in the field and will be available for one-on-one consultation with AEA show attendees. Attendees with avionics questions or who need troubleshooting assistance should make a point of stopping by Duncan Aviation's booth to talk with them and other Duncan Aviation representatives.

To learn more about Duncan Aviation's avionics and instrument repairs services, visitwww.duncanaviation.aero/parts/avionics_instruments.php.

NextGen Mandate Timeline

Transitioning the safety of the skies from ground-based tracking systems to satellite-based systems of air traffic control requires new standards and upgraded avionics equipment.Check our timeline to see what mandates may apply to your aircraft and when.