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The Duncan Download Blog: Business Aviation Advice & Observations

Quite Possibly One of the Coolest Aircraft Paint Schemes Ever: Video

Posted by Duncan Download Blog on Thu, Nov 05, 2015 @ 11:07 AM

 

Our client wanted an aircraft that stood out among other aircraft. I believe we achieved that goal. What do you think? 

The paint products used for the two-tone aesthetic of the project were two primary systems: Sherwin Williams satin black base with satin clear coat and Axalta Chromalusion’s “color changing” base coat color called Perfect Jade followed by a gloss clear coat.

The Gulfstream GV, N888XY, is branded SEXYjet and is managed by Metropolitan Aviation. For more information about the design collaboration and paint process, go here: http://www.duncanaviation.aero/news/duncan-aviation-unveils-timelapse-of-sexyjet-paint-application

See a time-lapse video of this beautiful paint project below. 

Tags: Paint Refurbishment, Videos

Falcon 50 EX: Individually Crafted with Passenger, Pilot in Mind

Posted by Duncan Download Blog on Tue, Jun 23, 2015 @ 07:00 AM

Duncan Aviation works with a variety of customers. The majority use their aircraft for business purposes, some have personal aircraft and a small portion are pilots themselves. A very select group fit all three categories.

Falcon50EX_April-2015When a customer came to Duncan Aviation's Battle Creek facility with a Dassault Falcon 50EX, his mission was to leave with the best upgrades in the cabin, as well as the flight deck.

"Our customer dubbed the Falcon a Time Machine, and wanted to ensure this time saver was the most comfortable and efficient tool to get from point A to point B," says Completions Sales Rep Nate Darlington, confirming that the creative tail number M-CFLY was, in fact, a Back to the Future time-traveler movie reference.

After completing a pre-buy inspection through Duncan Aviation, the aircraft went directly into an airframe inspection, complete interior refurbishment, complete aircraft paint refurbishment, Cabin Management System (CMS) installation and flight deck upgrades.

Read more about the completed Time Machine in the Spring 2015 issue of the Duncan Debrief.

McFly_April-2015

 

Tags: CMS, Airframe Maintenance, Interior Refurbishment, Paint Refurbishment, Pre-Purchase Inspection

Duncan Aviation Paints Virgin's Galactic Girl

Posted by Duncan Download Blog on Wed, May 06, 2015 @ 01:00 PM

GalaticGirl4_blogWe can finally talk about this super secret project our Battle Creak, Michigan, paint team completed. 

The challenge: Paint Virgin's Galactic Girl.

The aircraft: Falcon 900EX.

The solution: Our team partnered with artist, John Stahr, to airbrush the well-known logo. When a customer comes to Duncan Aviation with a unique request, we make it happen. Watch the process in just a minute and a half.

 

Tags: Paint Refurbishment, Videos

Video: Citation 560 Excel Aircraft Paint—Taking It Off

Posted by Duncan Download Blog on Thu, Apr 02, 2015 @ 12:07 PM

Citation-560XL-paintContributed by Nate Klenke, completion sales rep

Ever wonder what happens during the first few days your business jet is in getting a new exterior paint?   

During the earliest stage of the repainting process the aircraft is prepared for the existing paint to be removed. After all composites and other areas on the aircraft are protected, a yellowish peroxide-based stripper is applied and then the paint just begins falling off.

To the casual observer, your jet appears to be sitting around waiting with very little activity. But in reality quite a lot is happening. You just have to be patient and wait…and watch…a long time…nearly two days. But don’t blink, you could miss something.

Seriously, unless you have time to hang out for a weekend at a Duncan Aviation paint facility, you’ll just have to take my word that paint stripping magic is happening.

After a quick scrub, second application and a rinse to neutralize the stripper, all of the protective taping is removed and your aircraft is ready for the next step towards its new look.

Video Magic

Over this past weekend we captured a Citation 560 Excel at our Lincoln Nebraska, facility as it began the paint-stripping process.

We shortened and sped up this two-day event into a 60 second video. But don’t blink; you still could miss something.  

Tags: Paint Refurbishment, Videos

Duncan Aviation Hosts First-Ever Industry Benchmark Forum

Posted by Duncan Download Blog on Tue, Dec 02, 2014 @ 11:41 AM

PAINT-BENCHMARK-FORUM

Contributions By: Bombardier Learjet, Dassault Falcon Jet, Duncan Aviation, Elliott Aviation, Gulfstream Aerospace, Jet Aviation, Standard Aero, West Star Aviation

When it comes to aircraft paint, the products and processes are constantly changing and improving. To keep up with trends, industry representatives recently collaborated, sharing ideas and solutions at the first-ever Industry Benchmark Forum: Aircraft Paint. That expertise is now available in a customer-focused document at http://www.DuncanAviation.aero/fieldguides/aircraftpaint.

Paint industry representatives from Bombardier Learjet, Dassault Falcon Jet, Duncan Aviation, Gulfstream, Elliott Aviation and Standard Aero gathered to discuss the current state of the aircraft paint industry, the processes and products currently being utilized to minimize and mitigate corrosion’s negative impact on aircraft, as well as tour Duncan Aviation’s paint facilities.

In an effort to collectively raise the industry benchmark, reduce corrosion and improve painter safety, a group of industry aircraft paint experts gathered to share tips and tricks of the trade.

The group also considered current and future work processes and paint products in an attempt to collaborate and find paint systems that are best for customers’ aircraft, as well as paint technicians and team members.

“We also addressed the shift to chrome-free paint. Some of us having been using these products for years while others plan to reduce the amount of chromate products they use,” says Doug Bohac, Paint Shop Manager for Duncan Aviation. “We all realize the shift to chrome-free will happen in the next few years in Europe and the United States will likely follow suit.”

Chrome-free paint product expert Tom Chubb of AkzoNobel gave a presentation on the research and rigorous testing process of products currently available and those that might hit the market in the next few years.

All the attendees agreed the forum was mutually beneficial for the paint managers, shops and customers.

The group will meet again in April at another location to continue to build on this collective knowledge.

Download your copy of the Aircraft Paint Customer Guide now. 

Download PDF Now

Tags: Paint Refurbishment

Day 3: Duncan Aviation at NBAA—Static

Posted by Diane Heiserman on Thu, Oct 23, 2014 @ 11:42 AM

It is day three of NBAA! Have you been to Static?

Take a trip to the Orlando Executive Airport and drop by NARA static display–220 and check out this Embraer Legacy 600. It has been completely refurbished both inside and out with a 96-month inspection and Wi-Fi.

Click on photos to enlarge. 

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Along with its incredible physical transformation, the aircraft boasts a new Aircell GoGo Biz Broadband solution, as well as the Aviator 200 Swift Broadband solution alongside several custom additions, creating an efficient, effective, comfortable business jet.

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We also paired up with Embraer Executive Jet’s PreFlown division to develop a timelapse video showcasing what it takes to inspect and update an Embraer Legacy 600. To watch the video, visit http://www.duncanaviation.aero/videos/embraer_refurbishment/index.php.

 

Tags: Interior Refurbishment, Wi-Fi, Paint Refurbishment, NBAA

Meeting Milestones: LNK Delivers 250th Aircraft from New Paint Hangar

Posted by Duncan Download Blog on Tue, Sep 16, 2014 @ 03:48 PM

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Duncan Aviation takes the long-term approach when it comes to investing in the company, and it has paid off more than 250 times in the paint shop alone.Two years ago, the Lincoln, Nebraska, team celebrated the opening of a 45,000-square-foot aircraft paint facility after observing the current customer base’s shift toward larger aircraft and anticipating that trend had staying power.

The paint team saw an influx of Gulfstream 550s, Dassault Falcon 7Xs and other long-range business jets immediately fill the paint schedule.

“We designed the facility so it has the ability to house multiple aircraft at once—so the paint teams can strip, sand, paint and detail work on several projects simultaneously,” says Paint Manager Doug Bohac. “It also includes a down-draft bay and several other green options that allow us to do more with less of an impact on the environment.”

With 150 paint team members between the Lincoln and Battle Creek, Michigan, facilities, they’ve built quite the reputation for themselves, and with nearly 4,500 paint deliveries during the past few decades, it’s no wonder.

“We make most any paint request a reality and the paint teams really take pride in their work. They make sure it’s done right the first time, and that’s what keeps people returning,” says Bohac. 

Customers are coming back, and they’re providing rave reviews.

The Lincoln paint team recently completed one of the most complicated paint schemes on one of the largest jets to grace the facility. It took some creative thinking on the part of the design team and several weeks, but Nataly and Ernst Langner, owners and pilots of the jet, were ecstatic.

“Duncan Aviation is producing a quality I’ve never seen in the industry. This is the best job I have seen in 50 years,” says Ernst Langner.

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View the paint team in action on the Langer’s jet.

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View a timelapse video of Robert Duncan’s creative lime green, paint splattered M2 paint process. 

Tags: Paint Refurbishment

Sales Team Answers Top Paint Refurbishment Questions

Posted by Duncan Download Blog on Mon, Aug 18, 2014 @ 12:31 PM

A paint refurbishment can completely transform and revive an aircraft, but this update comes with a downtime of several weeks and a hefty price tag.

Although many of the customer projects Duncan Aviation delivers don’t necessarily lend well to generic FAQs, a general pattern of questions do emerge from prospects looking to have their aircraft repainted.

Here are the top two:

HOW OFTEN DO I NEED TO REPAINT MY AIRCRAFT? 

The simple answer is once every five-to-six years - if you hangar your aircraft and wash it frequently. Try to avoid flying near to saltwater or snow where de-icing products are used. Inspect for chips on a regular basis, and stay current on your touch-ups. If you can stick to those rules of thumb, then you can maximize the life of your aircraft paint work.

Of course, the above pointers are pretty unrealistic for most business aircraft operators - so, if you’re looking to avoid even more expensive corrosion issues you should take your aircraft in for a full paint refurbishment every half-decade.

An ideal time to repaint your aircraft is during a major maintenance event.

For example, we recommend Falcon owners sync a strip and paint with their major C-maintenance event, which occurs every six years.

WHAT'S INCLUDED IN A PAINT JOB? 

“Anyone can shoot a glossy coat of paint,” says Completions Sales Representative George Bajo, “but the value is in the details and proven processes.

“It’s all about the details. That’s what you pay for, and that’s what customers need to really look at when they’re comparing quotes. These bonus items cost a bit more, but the added value is definitely worth it.”

The attention to detail at the sealed windows and cleanliness of the painted landing gear are evidence of a job done right. New stair treads; dressed boots; wiped down wheels and wheel wells; painting inside of gear doors; radome boots that don’t yellow; and erosion tape are extras that customers should expect as a part of the service.

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A team member helps prep a Gulfstream GV in Duncan Aviation's Lincoln, Nebraska, facility. View time-lapse video

ADDITIONAL INFO 

  • Want to learn more about the futrue of paint refurbishment? Download our free Chrome-Free Aircraft Paint Systems Field Guide.
  • Watch an incredible time-lapse video of a Duncan Aviation paint refurbishment on a Bombardier Global 5000.
  • How about this time-lapse video of a lime-gree M2 livery?  

Tags: Paint Refurbishment, Videos

DETAILS! DETAILS! DETAILS! RECOGNIZING A QUALITY AIRCRAFT PAINT FINISH

Posted by Duncan Download Blog on Wed, Jun 25, 2014 @ 10:29 AM

Aircraft paint can beautifully reflect hours of painstaking care and preparation—or it can cover a multitude of sins. The trouble is, you can’t always tell which applies to your aircraft until long after the job is finished.

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According to George Bajo, completions sales representative for Duncan Aviation, “Anyone can shoot a glossy coat of paint. But the value is in the details.”  

He goes on to suggest operators conduct a visual inspection for dirt specs in the paint finish as one identifier of a quality job. “While a few dirt specs should be expected, a large number is cause for concern.”

The attention to detail at the sealed windows and cleanliness of the painted landing gear are also evidence of a job done right. New stair treads, dressed boots, wiped down wheels and wheel wells, painting inside of gear doors, radome boots that don’t yellow and erosion tape are also extras that customers should expect.

“It’s all about the details,” George says. “That’s what you pay for.”

Duncan Aviation Field Guides

To help aircraft owners identify a quality paint job and decide when to take an aircraft in for a touchup or full repaint, Duncan Aviation industry experts answer questions about pressing paint maintenance issues in the recently updated “More Than Skin Deep: Paint Maintenance and Turbine Aircraft Value” field guide.

This field guide explores routine maintenance and turbine aircraft market value, paint processes, and criteria to consider when selecting an aircraft paint service provider.

Paint Maintenance Topics
  • Paint Maintenance Topics
  • How to Recognize A Quality Aircraft Paint Finish
  • How Long Does Aircraft Paint Last?
  • Routine Maintenance & Paint Integrity
  • Aircraft Paint Services

Duncan Aviation's field guides address topics of importance to business aircraft operators around the globe and are written by our very own technical experts.

These documents are available as free PDF downloads. 

 Download Now 

 

Tags: Aircraft Sales, Paint Refurbishment

Duncan Aviation Field Guide: Chrome-Free Aircraft Paint Systems

Posted by Duncan Download Blog on Fri, Apr 11, 2014 @ 01:59 PM

Duncan Aviation researched and tested “green” paint processes for several years, and by 2011 all aircraft painted at Duncan Aviation’s facilities were using an FAA approved, chrome-free paint process. The company is not the first business aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul service provider to make the transition, nor will it be the last.

BENEFITS OF A CHROME-FREE PAINT PROCESS

Duncan Aviation Chrome-Free Aircraft Paint System

Duncan Aviation's Chrome-Free Field Guide provides an assessment of market drivers, product performance, application processes and considerations for selecting a service provider.

The economic and operational advantages of a chrome-free paint process are considerable.

A chrome-free paint process:

  • provides good corrosion protection
  • reduces coating failures 
  • eliminates steel fastener conversion coating corrosion
  • reduces OSHA hexavalent chromium oversight and regulatory compliance
  • reduces health and safety concerns
  • significantly reduces the amount of toxic wastewater requiring treatment
  • more environmentally responsible

Although chrome-free paint systems provide effective corrosion protection for aircraft, proper application is critical. Vigilance is key when assessing a paint proposal and evaluating the experience and capabilities of a service provider.

Duncan Aviation Field Guides

Duncan Aviation recently updated and re-released its field guide, “Chrome-Free Aircraft Paint Systems.” The guide answers how and why aircraft paint processes are changing, what to look for when considering a provider, performance of these new products and waste disposal methods.

Duncan Aviation has published several field guides that are available on its website. These guides, written by Duncan Aviation's industry experts, serve to answer questions and address pressing issues for business aircraft operators on a variety of topics. You can download and register for field guide updates at www.DuncanAviation.aero/fieldguides

 

Tags: Paint Refurbishment

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