The Duncan Download Blog: Business Aviation Advice & Observations

Contributed by Roger Ausbury, Sales Technical Specialist

Recently Fred Wilkins Lead Airframe Mechanic, Ed Boggs, Airframe Team Leader and I attended Lakeview High School’s Parent-Teacher conferences in Battle Creek, Michigan. Alongside colleges, banks, military recruiters and school clubs, Duncan Aviation had a booth.

I’m sure you’re wondering, “What is an aviation company is doing at a Parent-Teacher conference?” Well, consider this. How many times has a message from school actually made it home to you, the parent? From my own personal experience with my sons, whenever the communication actually did make it home it was cryptic, vague and sometimes had no resemblance of the intended message.

To bridge the communication gap between the school and home, Lakeview High School started to invite local businesses and organizations to Parent-Teacher conferences to be available should parents have questions about a potential involvement with their student.

Our goal in attending this event was to make students, parents, teachers and administrators aware of careers in aviation and specifically what we do at Duncan Aviation. We also wanted to share information about the future of aviation and the projected high demand for technicians.

Many parents and teachers asked us about the closing of the control tower at the Battle Creek airport and how it would affect our business. We assured them that aircraft will continue to come to Duncan Aviation for maintenance needs. The closing of the control tower will now require pilots to communicate with other aircraft through radio headsets; and that there are many uncontrolled airports around the country that pilots frequent.

During the conference, a family was browsing nearby when the father suggested his son talk with us about future career opportunities. Not interested the son said, “No, I want to go into Engineering.” Having heard this, Fred Wilkins grabbed a Duncan Engineer Career Sheet to the young man and said, “Here you go.” The dad smiled, the son said “Oh” and mom winked at Fred.

After a conversation about what Duncan Aviation is all about, they took more of our materials and continued on. The dad later returned to talk further about aviation.

In a nutshell that was how nearly all our conversations that evening went, as people by and large are unaware of what a career in aviation has to offer. Because of our presence at a high school Parent-Teacher conference, there are now about 25 more people who are aware.

Duncan Aviation is committed to encouraging future generations to get interested in careers in aviation. Every year, many Duncan Aviation representatives attend and talk to thousands of High School students, parents and teachers, educating them about the wide range of career opportunities available.

Duncan Aviation Recruiting Events

The following are recent career recruiting events attended by representatives from Duncan Aviation attended.

February 21-22 – Wyotech: Collision/Refinishing and Trim & Upholstery programs, Blairsville, PA

February 28 – Purdue Aviation Technology Career Fair, West Lafayette, IN

March 21 – Joint Base Langley-Eustis Job Fair in Fort Eustis, VA (Military)

March 27 – Lakeview High School, Michigan (High School)

April 2 – Hiring our Heroes, Lincoln, NE (Military)

April 5 – WMU School of Aviation Career Fair, Battle Creek, MI

April 11 – Hiring our Heroes, Battle Creek, MI (Fort Custer)

April 16 – Duncan Aviation job shadowing and tours for High School sophomores. Battle Creek, MI

April 19 – Harper Creek Middle School Career Exploration Day, Battle Creek, MI

April 25 – Marshall High School Career Fair, Marshall, MI

May 7 – Aviation Workforce Development Think Tank - Industry Leaders meeting in Minneapolis to brainstorm ideas on how to address a looming technician shortage in our industry.

May 21 – Duncan Aviation Career Day at Aviation Institute of Maintenance Kansas City, MO

June 11 – Otsego Middle School (7th & 8th Grade) Career Exploration Day, Otsego, MI

July - MCAS Miramar, San Diego, CA

More Than a Paycheck

Nowhere are aviation jobs more sought after than at Duncan Aviation. With a retention rate unheard of in the industry, a job at Duncan can come to mean way more than just a paycheck. For many, it's acquiring a level of expertise that is sought after and respected by OEMs and suppliers alike.

Click here to view current job openings at all Duncan Aviation locations.

Roger Ausbury is the Sales Technical Specialist located at Duncan Aviation's Battle Creek, Michigan, facility. Besides providing airframe sales support, he specializes in helping people not take themselves so seriously, dream interpretation and uniting Minnesota Vikings fans everywhere. His aviation career began in 2002.

Duncan Aviation recently welcomed four additional Regional Managers to support operators worldwide. Richard Gardner, Allan Orsi, Andy (Anand) Fernandes and Rodolfo Rodriguez join Arjen Groeneveld, Regional Manager in Europe, in an effort to better support customers throughout the world. Each Regional Manager travels their region, meeting with aircraft operators, management organizations and other service providers with the goal of maintaining and building relationships, providing customer service, listening to operators and learning more about each region’s regulatory issues and processes while engaging in industry forums.

Brazil Allan Orsi is located in Sao Paulo, Brazil. He has prior work experience with Honeywell do Brasil, Embraer, Bosch and Aerostation. Allan has a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering and an International Trade Technical degree. Contact Allan Orsi.

Europe In 2011, Arjen Groeneveld became Duncan Aviation’s first International Regional Manager. Arjen, who lives in The Netherlands, provides support to operators throughout Europe. He has more than 22 years of experience derived from positions in aerospace research, commercial airline and the aircraft leasing industries. During 2013 European Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (EBACE) in Geneva, Switzerland, May 21-23, stop by Duncan Aviation’s Stand #327 to visit with Arjen and other Duncan Aviation EBACE Representatives. Contact Arjen Groeneveld.

India Andy Fernandes supports India. He has been with Duncan Aviation since 1999 and will continue his current responsibilities as an Avionics Installations Sales Rep, serving a dual role as he supports operators in India, traveling to India several times a year. Andy holds a bachelor’s degree in Aviation Maintenance and a master’s degree in Aviation Safety. He has worked for Swiss Air and as a mechanic and project manager for Duncan Aviation in Lincoln. Contact Andy Fernandes.

Mexico Rodolfo Rodriguez supports Mexico. Prior to joining Duncan Aviation, he was a Naval Officer for the Mexican Navy, retiring after 21 years of service. Rodolfo has a Naval Sciences degree in Engineering and is authorized for internal combustion engines and gas turbine engines. Make it a point to attend the Aero Expo April 18-20 in Toluca, Mexico, and stop by Duncan Aviation’s booth #21 to visit with Rodolfo and other Duncan Aviation representatives. Contact Rodolfo Rodriguez.

New Zealand Richard Gardner supports the regions of Australia and New Zealand. His experience includes employment with Air New Zealand and Pacific Turbine and owner of SinglePoint Assist, an international AOG support network. He holds many licenses including an Airframe & Powerplant from the Federal Aviation Administration, Civil Aviation Authority Airframe and Engine license and licenses in New Zealand, Latvia, Trinidad and Tobago. Contact Richard Gardner.

 “With these Regional Managers now located in key areas around the world, Duncan Aviation can continue to provide support to operators and maintenance organizations while learning the industry nuances present in each region,” says John Slieter, Vice President of Sales for Duncan Aviation. “They are a group of enthusiastic aviation professionals. Each one has a strong desire to assist operators in safe and efficient flying.”

Duncan Aviation is the largest, family-owned maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) facility in the world providing complete acquisition sales and support services for business aircraft. We provide premier aircraft services–delivered on time–for a wide variety of business aircraft at our facilities across the United States.

At Duncan Aviation, we believe our most valuable assets are our team members. Each one has a story to tell that exemplifies the Duncan Aviation above-and-beyond attitude we have for our customers. And each one will tell you that what they do is “all in a day’s work.”

When your aircraft is AOG in another country amid political election uncertainty, do you have a Rapid Response Team who will work with a sense of urgency and get you flying before the airport is shut down?

Meet Regis Biarrieta

Just days before the presidential election in Venezuela and the threat of a possible airport shutdown, Regis Biarrieta, Rapid Response Engine Technician, battled road closures and heightened security to get a stranded customer’s aircraft up and running. He succeeded, just in the nick of time. 

Duncan Aviation received word a customer’s engine was leaking oil and a mechanic was needed as soon as possible. To complicate an already undesirable situation, the Venezuelan elections were concluding in five days and rumors were flying that the airport would be shut down and all aircraft with N-Numbers would be grounded.

The customer planned to fly Engine Tech Regis Biarrieta out on his backup aircraft, but it was experiencing some mechanical difficulties, so he opted to fly Regis commercially and wound up sending him to another part of the country less affected by the election-related security.

Just a few hours later, Regis made his way to Simon Bolivar International Airport of Maiquetia where the aircraft was parked and immediately began troubleshooting to identify the parts he needed – all while next to the heavily-guarded Presidential hangar. He located the necessary parts at an airport just an hour away, but the roads were closed, rendering them useless.

With just a few days left and an ever-increasing sense of urgency, Regis decided to call his team lead back in Florida to track down and expedite the parts. Fortunately, the customer’s other jet was up and running and ready to leave Tampa, Florida. The pilot picked up the parts on his way out of the United States.

Using an alternate airport and land route, the parts arrived. Regis fixed the engine and as they were taxiing out, he noticed they were the very last corporate aircraft with an N-Number left in the airport. He breathed a sigh of relief as they departed – just in time.  

Duncan Aviation has team members from the Australia to Florida and our backgrounds are even more diverse. But a common thread that ties us all together is an inherent sense of doing the right thing and a positive attitude that allows us to be a step above the rest.

It’s the people within a company who create such a strong brand. Duncan Aviation is an experience, unlike any other. We share stories like this one within the company daily as a reminder to all team members just how much our customers mean to us and what it takes to create that exceptional experience time and time again.

If you’d like to read more stories like this one, visit www.DuncanAviation.aero/experience.

Over 250 high school students and teachers gather to tour Duncan Aviation and learn about aviation career opportunities.

Over 250 high school students, teachers, sponsors and parents gathered this morning at Duncan Aviation in Lincoln, Nebraska, to explore the unique career opportunities available in the aviation industry. Representatives from Colleges and Universities, Tech Schools, Aviation exhibitors, Aviation Media, Government Agencies and Military organizations were on hand to talk with interested students.

Todd Duncan addressed the group explaining, "to be in the aviation industry is more than a job, it is a career. One that you can be proud of with advancement opportunities limited only by your imagination."

All students in attendance are elible to win scholarships totalling $3000.

Duncan Aviation is the largest family owned aviation maintenance company in the world and employs more than 2,000 aviation professionals around the world. To learn more about the career opportunities at Duncan Aviation, visit www.duncanaviation.aero/careers.

To build a career in the aviation industry requires advanced training, knowledge of aircraft systems and how they work together, as well as a broad understanding of aircraft components and parts. For this reason, in the maintenance world, aircraft technicians are viewed with the highest esteem.

On October 3, Duncan Aviation will be hosting an aviation career exhibition, Adjust Your Altitude 2012 in Lincoln, Nebraska. There will be up to 200 high school students from Nebraska, Iowa and Kansas in attendance.

With the predicted technician shortage and a general decline in interest in aviation with high school and college graduates, Duncan Aviation is hoping to reverse this trend by organizing an aviation career day. The goal is to educate students about all of the unique career opportunities in aviation and pique their interest in the industry.

The day will consist of students visiting with representatives from Colleges and Universities, Tech Schools, Aviation exhibitors, Aviation Media, Government Agencies and Military organizations. Students will also get to experiment with some hands-on activities, including testing their aircraft maintenance skills.

This will be an educational, exciting and fun day with $3,000 in scholarships awarded to attendees! Visit aviationcareerday.net for more information.

Contributed by Erin Hart, Corporate Apprentice

At the foundation of any company stands its Core Values, the ideals that guide day-to-day interactions between employees, customers and competitors. They serve as the bedrock upon which decisions are made by the leaders of the company.

A number of years ago, a team of Duncan Aviation employees put to words what they felt made the company so unique. They identified the characteristics that lie at its very core; family atmosphere, strong work ethic, good values and team approach. These Core Values are now established into the heritage of the company. It is not required that employees have them memorized or learned. They were simply a description of who we are and how we do business every day.

Watch as Duncan Aviation team members express why the Duncan Aviation Core Values resonate so much with their teams and how they can be seen in every aspect of their workday. 

Download a copy of Duncan Aviation's Core Values.

Erin Hart is a Duncan Aviation Apprentice working in the Marketing Communications department at the Lincoln Nebraska facility. She began working in aviation in 2007.

Contributed by Paul David, Human Resources Manager

A resume has a singular purpose—to provide a snapshot of your skills that motivates the hiring manager to call you in for an interview. However the current job market is tight and hiring managers receive 30 resumes for every position they need to fill. Below are some military transition tips to write a resume for your aviation career that makes your military experience stand out above the crowd.

1. Create Your Resume Early

As soon as you’ve made the decision to separate from military service, you should begin creating a resume. If you wait until you’ve found an aviation career to apply for, you’ve waited too long. A resume is your first impression on a potential employer. It should not be rushed and thrown together at the last minute. A current resume can be easily tweaked and handed to a potential employer, even while you are still in active duty.

2. Tailor your resume

Do not submit a cookie-cutter resume. A resume that covers all your military training and skills for all possible career paths is too broad and will not stand out or get noticed. Create a summary of your skills and training that targets the current needs of the employer. Although you have many more qualifications than what is listed, focus on the skills relevant for the aviation career you are applying for. You can talk about your other qualifications verbally during an interview.  

3. Keep an objective view

When listing your skills and qualifications, avoid subjective statements like, Able to perform troubleshooting and function-tests of aircraft systems and components. Although this may be a true statement, it is actually just your own personal opinion on your skill level.

Write objective statements that can be backed up with facts, such as Served as a Plane Captain, Engine Mechanic and Engine Shop Supervisor; working on A4, T38 and F5 aircraft, or Worked as an I-Level Communication/Navigation systems technician.

When separating from the military, my greatest piece of advice is to BEGIN EARLY. Write your resume and begin filling out applications several months in advance of your separation date.

25% of Duncan Aviation's team members are former and/or active service members. Visit http://www.duncanaviation.aero/careers/apply.php to view aviation careers at Duncan Aviation.

Paul David is a Human Resources Manager located at Duncan Aviation's Michigan facility. He specializes in strategic planning and HR metrics, recruitment, compensation and employee and community relations. His aviation career began in March 2008.

Contributed by Kendall Folds, Safety Coordinator and Military Recruiting representative.

Duncan Aviation was named one of the top 100 places to work in Michigan in 2011.

Below are the answers to some of the most frequently asked aviation career questions from military personnel who will be separating from the military service soon.

What licenses are required for a civilian aviation career?

If you have received training/experience as an airframe or powerplant mechanic and are interested in pursuing that as a aviation career, we strongly encourage you to obtain your A&P (airframe and powerplant) certifications. Having either your A (airframe) or P (powerplant) is good but, having both A&P in addition to your military experience will make you more marketable to aviation employers.

How will my military experience and training transfer to general aviation?

Hydraulics is hydraulics and flight controls are flight controls. Many military aircraft have the same operating systems as business aircraft and use similar equipment, manuals and tools. Your technical training and skills acquired while serving in the military are easily transferred to a civilian aviation career with a very low learning curve.   

What interview questions can I expect?

Each company that you apply for will have questions specific to them and the position they need to fill. The following are some basic questions that will help you prepare for any interview.

1. Describe your work history and how it has prepared you for this position.
2. What are your greatest strengths / areas of improvement?
3. What is the toughest problem you've had to face, and how did you overcome it?
4. What was most or least rewarding about your previous position?
5. Are you willing to work overtime? Nights? Weekends?
6. Tell me about a time when you had to deal with a co-worker who wasn't doing his/ fair share of the work. What did you do and what was the outcome?
7. Why should we hire you?

Will I have to relocate?

Unless the company and position you are applying for are in your current location, then you will be required to relocate.

Will I have help with moving expenses?

Most employers, who recruit outside of their geographic area, are likely to provide some type of relocation package to new hires. If this offer is not presented to you at the time you receive a job offer, don’t be afraid to ask for it. Although employers may not offer this benefit up front, they may be willing to negotiate some type of assistance. Be prepared to give them a dollar figure if negotiating.           

Duncan Aviation makes it a standard practice to provide relocation assistance to any new employee who is required to move to start their aviation career with us. 

Will I need my own tools or equipment?

Most aviation companies require that you have your own tools and tool box and will provide a minimum tools list. This is a basic list and other tools may need to be added to complete your tool collection. It is also not uncommon for companies to offer financial assistence in the way of no-interest or low-interest loans repaid through payroll. Ask if this is an option.

With a manager's approval, Duncan Aviation will set up individual tool accounts as interest free loans to acquire the tools of their trade.

25% of Duncan Aviation's team members are former and/or active service members. Visit http://www.duncanaviation.aero/careers/apply.php to view aviation careers at Duncan Aviation.

Kendall Folds is Duncan Aviation's Safety Coordinator and Military Recruiting representative located in Lincoln, NE. He specializes in the coordination and administration of workplace safety and recruiting qualified personnel from all branches of military service. His aviation career begin in 1977.

Contributed by guest blogger Philip J Reed, Redstone College

With a degree in avionics, the most advanced aviation avionics technology is at your fingertips. Literally.

Aviation has a long history, and it’s a field that has only grown more sophisticated with time. If you catch yourself looking up every time an aircraft flies overhead and are fascinated with how fast technology is changing, it may be time to combine your passions and seek a career in aviation avionics. Here are some reasons people find the profession appealing.

Science & Technology Excite You

Aviation avionics technicians work with the most advanced and sophisticated technology today. Avionics systems aboard an aircraft include aircraft navigation and radio communications, weather radar systems and other instruments and computers that control flight, engine and other primary functions. The training to become a qualified in this field encompasses several subjects. In school, students will study radio communication theory, avionics systems line maintenance, and avionics system integration. Avionics students also benefit from an intensive study of math, physics, computer science, electronics, mechanical drawing and other similar disciplines because aircraft are complex machines.

You Thrive on Responsibility

Avionics technicians keep the world's aircraft flying safely and efficiently. Avionics systems are an integral part of aircraft design and newer technologies are continually integrated to increase an aircraft’s capability and safety. The expertise and training of an avionics technician keeps thousands of travelers safe in the air on a daily basis. Students completing electronics/avionics courses receive a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certification.

Quality Schools Available

The 2010–2011 edition of the Occupational Outlook Handbook notes that there are approximately 170 FAA-certified schools in the United States, and about one-third offer degrees in avionics, aviation maintenance management, or aviation technology. By law, certified mechanic schools must provide students with at least 1,900 class hours, which usually takes between one and two years to complete and also includes instruction in how to use tools relevant to the job.

Improving Your Job Prospects

While some avionics technicians are able to learn their skills through on-the-job training, most will find that they require formal avionics training to develop the skills necessary to be successful in their work. Technological advances have changed the face of avionics, and it’s important that new avionics professionals have relevant training to meet these demands.

Career Options

Because avionics is involved in everything aboard an aircraft, including engines and flight controls, the aviation industry needs skilled individuals with aircraft avionics training. Avionics technicians may find themselves involved in testing, calibrating, troubleshooting and repairing avionics instruments. Avionics jobs may also require candidates to inspect and maintain electrical systems as well as set up and perform bench tests, repairs and replace defective components such as tachometers, temperature gauges and altimeters, as well as read electrical wiring diagrams. Graduate and post-graduate degrees generally aren’t available in avionics, but some people choose to move on to earn an engineering degree.

If you’re a thorough person with the self-motivation and work ethic required to have a good career, you could be a good fit for work in avionics. Study hard, and keep learning to give yourself the best prospects possible.

Philip Reed works in affiliation with Redstone College, located in Denver, CO. He has two years experience working with online colleges and communications systems. Situated on the front range of the Colorado Rockies, Redstone College, is located in Broomfield, a small town between Denver and Boulder.

Contributed by Dennis Brewer, retired South Central U.S. Regional Manager

Dennis Brewer retired on Jan. 3rd, 2011 as Duncan Aviation's South Central U.S. Regional Manager.

In 1978, I dropped in for fuel at Duncan Aviation. That was my first contact with the company, which had a hangar full of de-mated Learjets amongst other projects and their own large lunchroom. What other FBO had a large lunchroom? When I got home I was told that this aviation company in Nebraska enjoyed a great reputation in the world of turbine and reciprocating aircraft maintenance.

In 1981, Duncan Aviation was a full line Cessna service and sales operation in the territory I covered as a service rep for Cessna. The friendliness of everyone I came into contact with at Duncan made me feel right at home (Duncan customers tell me that they feel the same when they are in with an airplane). Dave Lewis was managing the reciprocating shop then and was my primary contact. He’s a 7X Program Coordinator now and we are still very good friends.

In 1985, I had the good fortune to be hired by another friend, Bob McCammon, who was managing Duncan Aviation’s newly-formed remote-based sales and marketing team. He hired me as a Service Marketing Representative (SMR) covering Texas and the four surrounding states. Although excess parts inventory consignment (called Avpac at the time) was our priority then, I did not expect that Duncan would be known among aircraft operators in my part of the country. However, I soon discovered that our avionics loaner program had made Duncan a household name with turbine aircraft operators. I had to introduce myself, but not Duncan Aviation. It was amazing how my one year stint of visiting Duncan while working for Cessna had allowed me the opportunity to make so many friends.

Now, after 25 years with Duncan Aviation, I am retiring. Not only are there many of these friends from 1981 still here, but in many cases there are successive generations of those 300 original fellow employees. I feel like a lightweight in the longevity category.

So much for the history lesson. It is the pride of working with my fellow Duncanians that I really wish to address. With that well-known great Midwest work ethic, coupled with the infectious pride that Duncan Aviation’s people have, the Duncan family has wisely sought and used input from employees and customers to steer and keep our company at the top of the business aviation game. It has been my good fortune and privilege to have my word, honor and professional reputation enhanced by my fellow Duncan employees.

I wish all of you the best and hope that we all get to spend many happy post employment years pursuing our favorite pastimes. Thank you all very much.

Dennis Brewer served as Duncan Aviation’s South Central U.S. Regional Manager for 25 years, and retired Jan. 3, 2011. He began working in aviation in 1965.