The Duncan Download Blog: Business Aviation Advice & Observations

A business aircraft is a corporate workhorse, and an extended downtime for winglets alone isn’t feasible. To maximize the time an aircraft is out of service, the upgrade can be scheduled with an inspection or paired with additional modifications that require a similar turn time.

Falcon 2000 Series Winglet Scheduling

It takes about four weeks to achieve a blended winglet modification for Falcon 2000 series aircraft. Projects with similar (or longer) downtimes that can be worked with winglets include:

• “C” check (downtime extended by about a week),
• Dry-bay modification (no additional downtime),
• Interior refurbishment,
• Paint refinishing.

Hawker 800 Series Winglet Scheduling

Downtime for Hawker 800 series aircraft is even shorter, about 21 calendar days. Projects with similar (or longer) downtimes include:

• 24 / 48 month inspection cycles (aircraft age and inspection findings can affect downtimes),
• LoPreste landing and taxi light modification eliminates the risk of lens melting (no additional downtime),
• RVSM avionics nose bay modification makes avionics boxes accessible through the nose wheel bay (downtimes vary),
• Interior refurbishment,
• Paint refinishing.

Winglets & Pre-buy Evaluations

Pre-buy evaluations also present an opportunity for a winglet modification. It’s an important item to consider, says Gary Dunn, Vice President of Sales at Aviation Partners, Inc. “The modification can be achieved during that same downtime, and it can be rolled into the financing at that time.”

Winglets for both airframes can also be paired with phone systems and interior modifications.

Find out more about Falcon 2000 series and Hawker 800 series winglets at www.DuncanAviation.aero/airframe. Or contact a member of Duncan Aviation’s Falcon or Hawker Airframe Service Sales team for information about our winglet installation capabilities.

Duncan Aviation's 4 week Falcon 2000 winglet downtime is the result of scheduling the most modifications and developing innovative techniques.

Additional photos are available in the Falcon winglet press release.

Falcon 2000 series winglet modifications take about four weeks, while Hawker 800 series runs about 21 days. How is Duncan Aviation able to quote a four week downtime for Falcons when the rest of the industry seems to be at six to eight weeks? And why the discrepancy in downtimes between airframes? I talked with Dale Hawkins, an Airframe Service Sales Rep. at Duncan Aviation-Battle Creek, Mich. for explanations.

Falcon winglet modifications take longer due to the amount of internal wing work, says Dale. Dropping the planks and adding the reinforcements is time consuming. The Hawker 800 series design allows for most of the reinforcements to be external to the wing, which equates to a shorter turn time. As for Duncan Aviation’s comparably shorter Falcon turn times, projects tend to become more streamlined the more experience a service provider has with them.

Like everyone else, Duncan Aviation began with a six to eight week turn time when the Falcon 2000 winglet modifications were first offered in 2008. The first three projects were a learning curve. Nearly 20 modifications later, we’ve pared it down to four weeks (whether or not it includes a Falcon dry bay modification).

“We’ve done it by scheduling the most modifications, and by working projects back-to-back,” says Dale. “We’ve also developed our own techniques to reduce turn times.”

Both downtimes are relatively short, but they can be scheduled with other projects when an aircraft is down for service. For advice on what projects to schedule with winglet modifications, read next week’s blended winglet blog post.

Find out more about Falcon 2000 series and Hawker 800 series winglets at www.DuncanAviation.aero/airframe. Or contact a member of Duncan Aviation’s Falcon or Hawker Airframe Service Sales team for information about our winglet installation capabilities.

There isn’t much, if any, wiggle-room on the final bill for a winglet modification, but there are some cost-saving approaches to be had… if you do your homework.

1. Have the modification done at tax-exempt locations.

Eliminating sales tax from a winglet modification offers a significant savings. Not many facilities qualify, however both of Duncan Aviation’s full service facilities are tax-exempt locations.

2. Ask your tax professional about accelerated “bonus” depreciation.

Business Jet Traveler reported that legislation passed allowing companies to take advantage of accelerated “bonus” depreciation before the end of 2010. AINonline also reported that the accelerated depreciation applies to “strategic business purchases this year,” which includes business aircraft.

Past accelerated depreciation has applied to winglets in the past, but it’s best to check with your tax professionals regarding if and how you can benefit.

3. Schedule winglets with a prebuy evaluation.

A winglet modification can be rolled into the financing for an aircraft purchase at the time of the prebuy evaluation. This also eliminates the need for additional downtime after the aircraft is delivered.

4. Pair winglets with inspections or other modifications.

Blended winglets can be scheduled with inspections or modifications, often without extending downtime. Falcon 2000 series winglets take about four weeks, while Hawker 800 series winglets take about three weeks.

To find out why the downtimes are so different between Falcon and Hawker aircraft, read next week’s blended winglet blog post.

Find out more about Falcon 2000 series and Hawker 800 series winglets at www.DuncanAviation.aero/airframe. Or contact a member of Duncan Aviation’s Falcon or Hawker Airframe Service Sales team for information about our winglet installation capabilities.

Residual value, perceived value and fuel savings are important factors to consider when calculating the return on investment for a winglet modification.

1. Residual value.

Aircraft Blue Book values for both Hawker 800 series and Falcon 2000 series aircraft estimate a conservative 75% residual value for winglet modifications, says Gary Dunn, Vice President of Sales at Aviation Partners, Inc. Aircraft with winglets are “worth more and sell more quickly.”

2. Perceived value.

Winglets are quickly becoming a standard. As the number of winglet-equipped aircraft on the resale market increases, Gary speculates it will become increasingly difficult to sell an in-service aircraft with conventional wingtips.

Gary explains that in the case of the Gulfstream II, 70% of the fleet is now equipped with Aviation Partner’s winglets. “It became a standard,” he says. “We’re seeing a similar trend on the Hawker 800 series. It’s becoming a piece of equipment that people expect.”

3. Fuel savings.

Additional value is realized through improved fuel burn. For example, operators who regularly fly longer missions (coast-to-coast or US-to-Europe, for example) can cut their fuel bills significantly. Operators can also fly faster for the same fuel burn, saving valuable time and lowering direct operating costs (DOCs) for their operation.

The longer range, improved cruising speeds and fuel efficiency realized through a winglet modification is far more cost effective than upgrading to an aircraft with similar capabilities.

For tips on managing the cost of a winglet installation, look for next week’s blended winglet blog post.

Find out more about Falcon 2000 series winglets and Hawker 800 series winglets at www.DuncanAviation.aero/airframe. Or contact a member of Duncan Aviation’s Falcon or Hawker Airframe Service Sales team for information about our winglet installation capabilities.

The winglet features all sound good: less drag, lower fuel burn and superior climb and cruise characteristics. But what does that really mean to a CEO? I talked with Gary Dunn, Vice President of Sales at Aviation Partners, Inc. to find out.

1. Winglets provide an alternative to buying a longer-range aircraft.

Operators who are pushing their aircraft to the edge of its capabilities might be considering an upgrade to an aircraft with better performance. With the extended range and improved fuel burn winglets provide, a different aircraft might not be necessary. “Blended winglets can offer a new aircraft at a fraction of the price,” says Gary.

2. Winglets improve aircraft performance.

AviationPartners.com explains that winglets reduce drag on the wingtips, making them more aerodynamic. Falcon 2000 winglets improve fuel efficiency by 5% at .80M, and increase the range by up to 260 nm on 2000, EX, and EASy models. Hawker 800 winglets improve fuel efficiency by 7.3% and boost the range by 180 nm.

3. Winglets improve resale value.

They are becoming a standard, a piece of equipment that buyers expect, says Gary. It’s a highly visible technology, and aircraft with winglets “sell more quickly at better prices.” The residual value for the upgrade is a conservative 75%, he says, although higher residual values have been observed at resale.

4. Winglets are environmentally conscious.

AviationPartners.com says its Blended Winglets have cut CO2 emissions by more than 22.5 million tons, and have already saved more than 2 billion gallons of jet fuel for business and commercial operators worldwide.

For factors to consider when assessing the value of a winglet modification, look for next week’s winglet blog post.

Find out more about Falcon 2000 series winglets and Hawker 800 series winglets at www.DuncanAviation.aero/airframe. Or contact a member of Duncan Aviation’s Falcon or Hawker Airframe Service Sales team for information about our winglet installation capabilities.