Fall 2026

70 Photos

Donald Duncan laid the foundation in 1956 with a clear vision: to care deeply about our customers, to work boldly, and to treat everyone like family.

These photographs pay tribute to the historical heroes, innovators, and everyday contributors whose dedication built the Duncan legacy — and whose spirit still guides us today.

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In This Issue: Fall 2026

Fall 2026

70 Photos

As we celebrate Duncan Aviation's 70th Anniversary, we're sharing images from the family archive that trace seven decades of people, aircraft, and the community built around them.

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Fall 2026

70 Photos

As we celebrate Duncan Aviation's 70th Anniversary, we're sharing images from the family archive that trace seven decades of people, aircraft, and the community built around them.

Donald Duncan laid the foundation in 1956 with a clear vision: to care deeply about our customers, to work boldly, and to treat everyone like family.

These photographs pay tribute to the historical heroes, innovators, and everyday contributors whose dedication built the Duncan legacy — and whose spirit still guides us today.

ClickTap any image to view it full size

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Robert Duncan refereeing a game of tug-of-war in 1994 at one of Duncan Aviation's many employee parties.

"It never matted what time of the day or night of how difficult the problem, Darlene (Christensen) was always there," said Robert Duncan.

In 1967, Duncan Aviation became a Factory Authorized Learjet Service Center. Learn more about our entire airframe services.

Jeannie Falter joined Duncan Aviation in 1981 to expand the paint and interior departments, shifting from sales to service. See what Duncan Aviation can do for your aircraft interior.

Robert Duncan, accompanied by his wife Karen, received the Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award on December 24, 2008.

Engine Technician Lanny Renshaw performing a TFE731 engine R&R on a Learjet 35 in 1994. Check out Duncan Aviation's full-service engine solutions.

Todd and Connie Duncan's twin boys, Harrison and PK, were born in 1994.

Robert McCammon, Doug Roth, and Rene Cardona, seated, with Doug Kvassay and Andy Biller, representing Duncan Aviation’s roots as an aircraft sales company. Duncan Aviation makes buying and selling private jets easy.

Satellites host customer appreciation events, such as the annual Houston (Texas) Crawfish Boil, where mudbugs are served to nearly 500 guests. See more about Duncan Aviation's satellite network.

On October 17, 2008, about 600 high school students from two high schools in Omaha and Lincoln attended a career fair organized by Duncan Aviation and the Strategic Air & Space Museum. Learn more about a career at Duncan Aviation.

In 1977, Duncan Aviation started a Research & Development team to design test equipment for avionics and instruments.

A team from Duncan Aviation helped install a Learjet suspended from the ceiling in Denver International Airport’s Concourse C in 2002.

1979 advertisement featuring Duncan Aviation team members with the tagline "Catch the Duncan Spirit."

Avionics Technician Mark Cote tests a Honeywell Primus II navigation system with Duncan Aviation’s computer-based test set in 1995. See how far we have come since then.

In late 2013, Duncan Aviation painted this psychedelic design. The paint team used 517 rolls of tape, 1,000 razor blades, 79 gallons of paint in four gray shades, and spent nearly 2,500 hours ensuring this creative and detailed paint scheme was applied perfectly. Watch a timelapse video of this aircraft being painted.

Todd Duncan, pictured with Harry Barr and Jessy Panzer, soloed in the same classic yellow 1941 Piper J-3 Cub his dad, Chairman Emeritus Robert Duncan, did years ago.

To celebrate Duncan Aviation’s 65th anniversary, posters and matching T-shirts were created depicting our three full-service facilities.

Aaron Hilkemann has been a transformative leader at Duncan Aviation, helping to guide the company through decades of growth, structural development, and cultural strengthening.

Donald Duncan, his son Robert, and Harry Bar in 1977.

Whether you stop in PVU or one of our other FBOs, you’re always greeted with a smile and a helping hand. We’ve been an FBO since our doors opened in LNK 63 years ago. Learn more about our FBO services.

Father and daughter Doyle Garrett and Kara Renner represent one of the many multigenerational Duncan Aviation families.

Doug Hill, Joe Huffman Sr., and Tex Hoveland working on a Bell 47 Lycoming helicopter engine in the late 70s.

In 1996, Duncan Aviation celebrated 40 years with one-of-a-kind bomber jackets. Want wearables? Visit: DuncanAviationStore.com

1998 Tagline, “Perfecting The Craft.” Duncan Aviation still strives to continuously improve and perfect the “craft.”

This year marks Pam Orr’s 50th year with Duncan Aviation. She started in 1976 at the Front Desk, moved to Accounting, and landed in the Marketing event planning and travel world.

Our Marketing team supports 145 tradeshows annually around the world, with 36 being outside the US. Allan Orsi talks with a customer at one of the shows held in Brazil.

An employee party airshow favorite: Harry Barr flies as Don Fielder climbs the rope ladder from a motorcycle driven by Ed Bowes.

Lincoln, Nebraska, campus in 1977 compared to our MRO campuses today. Since day one, Duncan Aviation has invested in our facilities to better support customers.

First Provo Paint, May 2019 Watch the video here.

There are eight domestic and six International Regional Managers supporting operators worldwide.

The Karen K. Duncan Scholarship program invests in team members’ families, helping their children pursue college and technical education while honoring Karen’s belief in education.

On March 29, 2024, the completed PC-12 was revealed. Robert and Karen, Todd and Connie, their twin sons Harrison and PK, their wives, and children were featured on the Fall 2024 Duncan Debrief cover.

Duncan Aviation’s Marketing efforts are achieved by an in-house team, including videographers Jared Petr and Cade Fisher. See other unique paint schemes we have documented.

In 2006, Duncan Aviation understood where flight deck avionics were headed and led the “Glass Box Project” retrofitting and certifying upgrades. Check out avionics modifications.

Robert and grandson Harrison Duncan are licensed pilots. The 70th anniversary tagline rings true, "A passion for aviation. The heart of a family."

Mark Earnest and Lance Boatwright of the Engine Shop discuss repair and inspection procedures in 1998.

Robert Duncan flew “Dove 1,” the first volunteer flight for the 2010 Citation Special Olympics Airlift, with his grandson PK Duncan by his side.

Unlike the old process, Duncan Aviation’s advanced paint process is more efficient, environmentally responsible, and creates a cleaner foundation for a high-quality finish.

Duncan Aviation’s Battle Creek United Way Committee reflects the company’s commitment to giving back and strengthening local communities.

Bob McCammon began his Duncan Aviation career in Line Services, launching a long and successful journey with the company.

For nearly 50 years, Duncan Aviation’s NDT team has inspected aircraft for cracks, corrosion, and material integrity.

A dramatic hangar party arrival showcases the passion for aviation shared across generations of Duncan Aviation team members.

More than four decades of interior expertise are reflected in every detail found in this recent GLEX transformation.

Duncan Aviation Parts & Rotables Sales has over $170 million in aircraft parts ready to ship worldwide.

The Battle Creek team celebrated every completed green 7X aircraft with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

Duncan Aviation donated a TFE731 engine to Lincoln North Star High School, giving aviation students valuable hands-on experience.

Duncan Aviation upholstery specialists combine craftsmanship, precision, and carefully selected materials to restore aircraft seating and create comfortable, customer-inspired cabin environments.

Don Fiedler joined Duncan Aviation in 1966. In 1984, Robert Duncan asked him to develop a plan for avionics support closer to customers. Don started our Satellite network throughout the US.

Prop/Accessory Team Leader Vince Cruickshank and R&D Tech Chris Hoagg adjust and test a Challenger’s nose gear steering system in 1998. Duncan Aviation Accessories shops offer faster turn-times for accessory repairs and overhauls.

Duncan Aviation was NBAA’s Service Award Winner in 1975.

Founded by Robert and Karen Duncan, the Silver Wings Club celebrates team members whose 25 years of service reflect the heart of Duncan Aviation.

Craig Nordbrock, Robert Duncan, Bernard Michael, Bob Tooker, Kent Kussatz, Pam Orr, and Jean Warner receive aircraft fueling training in 1981.

Our 70 years have included several anniversary celebrations where we celebrated the past while looking to the journey ahead.

Mark Rolfsmeyer on Lincoln’s Scheduling team helped coordinate hangar capacity and resources in 1999.

Tom Burt, Robert Duncan, Aaron Hilkemann, and Bill Prochazka with Battle Creek’s expansion blueprints in 2006.

On the 20th anniversary of acquiring Kal-Aero, Duncan Aviation hosted a celebration and gathered all the team members who were still with the company 20 years later.

Robert, Todd and Donald Duncan join Alec Couvelaire at a tradeshow in the late 1970s.

George Bajo and Todd Wright review a customer project, helping shape tailored completions and modifications solutions.

Suzanne Hawes works in Battle Creek’s Design Center during the 1990s, helping customers bring personalized aircraft interiors to life.

This summer, we welcomed more than 70 interns to our three full-service facilities, providing hands-on experience that helps prepare aviation’s next generation.

Members of the Customer Service Department in 1981: Standing (L-R): Pam Orr, Ron Hall, Kent Kussatz, Kevin McGinn, Marcia Buck, Wendy Merlin; Seated: Denny Bartunek, Joanne Hoffman, Don Heinlein and Dyan Bonelli.

A Caricature Series of postcards sent in 2006 highlighted our avionics experts.

In 2011, Battle Creek, Michigan, was named one of the Top 100 Workplaces in Michigan. Duncan Aviation was selected as one of the top 25 large employers.

Rapid Response Master Technician Rustin McCullough and Engine Service Sales Rep Josh Bronson deployed to the Bahamas for a Falcon AOG in 2022, staging their cases of tooling in front of a palm tree.

In mid-2010, 11 employees from Duncan Aviation’s various locations relocated to Provo, Utah, with a vision of a new, full-service facility there. They joined five external hires and these 16 souls became forever known as Duncan Aviation-Provo’s “First Team.”

Duncan Aviation supports a number of ERGs (Employee Resource Groups). These team member-led groups create opportunities to connect around shared backgrounds, experiences, interests, and goals. NextGen, Veterans, and Women of Duncan Aviation are just a few of the groups helping build connections across the company.

Robert Duncan and Clay Lacy at NBAA in 2025.

Duncan Aviation’s 2012 Intelligence Live Conference in Battle Creek.

Jeff Lake, Chad Neuhalfen and Michael Griffin with Lincoln Airport Authority, Todd Duncan, Mike Minchow, Nebraska Senator Carolyn Bosn, and Kasey Harwick at the 2026 DOF Open House.