The Heart of a FamilyAt first glance, the portraits on these pages appear to be traditional works of art. A closer look reveals something much more meaningful: thousands of individual hand-drawn squares, each created by a customer, team member, family member, vendor, or community participant.
Together, those individual contributions form a collection of portraits honoring the people whose vision, leadership, creativity, and commitment helped shape Duncan Aviation’s first 70 years.
As our 70th anniversary celebration winds down, these collaborative works of art serve as a powerful reminder that Duncan Aviation’s success has never been built by one person alone. Just as each square contributes to the finished image, every customer, team member, partner, and family member has played a role in building our story.
Since our founding in 1956, Duncan Aviation has grown from a single hangar operation into one of the world’s largest family-owned providers of aircraft sales, maintenance, modification, avionics, interiors, paint, and parts support services. Throughout seven decades of growth and change, one thing has remained constant: a commitment to people.
“My grandfather, Donald Duncan, laid the foundation of Duncan Aviation with a simple belief: Take care of customers and each other, and success will follow. My parents, Robert and Karen, built on that foundation and shaped the business culture we’re proud of today—one defined by trust, craftsmanship, innovation, and a deep commitment to doing what’s right,” says Todd Duncan, Chairman of Duncan Aviation and grandson of the company’s founder.
To commemorate this milestone anniversary—and to honor Robert and Karen Duncan’s appreciation for the arts—we invited customers, team members, industry partners, families, and members of the community to participate in a series of collaborative art projects.
There are nearly 3,100 individual squares assembled into portraits celebrating some of the people that have shaped Duncan Aviation over the past seven decades. The finished collection reflects the same spirit that has defined the company since 1956: Individuals working together to create something larger than themselves.
The artwork will make its public debut during NBAA-BACE 2026 in Las Vegas, where attendees will have an opportunity to experience the portraits up close and discover the thousands of individual contributions that bring each image to life. Attendees will also be able to participate in the final community art piece.
The collection honors five individuals whose influence helped shape Duncan Aviation’s culture, growth, and commitment to excellence.
Few people have had a greater impact on Duncan Aviation than its founder, Donald Duncan.
Born near Clarinda, Iowa, in 1922, Donald possessed a remarkable ability to recognize opportunity, build relationships, and inspire others to turn ideas into reality. Whether operating a farm, automobile dealership, bank, or aviation business, he approached every endeavor with optimism, determination, and integrity.
Those qualities became the foundation of Duncan Aviation when he entered the aviation business in 1956. Donald believed business should create value for everyone involved and that trust mattered more than contracts. His handshake was his word.
Perhaps no accomplishment better reflects his entrepreneurial spirit than his early partnership with Bill Lear and Learjet. Through vision, persistence, and mutual trust, Donald helped create opportunities that would influence the future of business aviation.
Today, his legacy lives on in every customer interaction, every problem solved, and every team member who embraces Duncan Aviation’s enduring “can-do” culture.
Robert Duncan guided Duncan Aviation through decades of growth by embracing change while remaining steadfast in the company’s core values.
Having worked throughout the business from an early age, Robert understood every aspect of the operation—from fueling aircraft to leading strategic decisions. His experience shaped a leadership style centered on listening, empowering others, and continually improving.
Aviation has been a lifelong passion for Robert. He began flying lessons at age 15, soloed at 16, earned his private pilot license at 17, and his commercial license at 18. At just 23, he became the youngest certified pilot to fly the Learjet. Those years in the cockpit gave Robert a firsthand understanding of aviation and the people Duncan Aviation serves.
Robert has long believed that lasting success requires adaptability. Under his leadership, Duncan Aviation expanded its capabilities, strengthened customer relationships, and fostered a culture where innovation was encouraged and thoughtful risks were embraced.
That adaptability proved especially important in the 1980s, when Robert recognized the opportunity to shift Duncan Aviation’s focus from aircraft sales toward service and support, helping set the course for the company today.
Robert’s commitment to keeping Duncan Aviation family-owned continues today, preserving its culture and values for future generations.
As the third generation of Duncan family leadership, Todd Duncan has focused on preparing Duncan Aviation not only for today’s challenges, but for future generations of customers and team members.
After joining the company in 1988 and gaining experience across multiple areas of the business, Todd developed a broad perspective on leadership, customer service, and organizational growth. He became Chairman of the Board in 2007 and has continued to champion the values established by his grandfather and strengthened by his father.
A licensed pilot with instrument and multi-engine ratings, Todd understands aviation from both the flight deck and the boardroom. His leadership philosophy emphasizes relationships, integrity, teamwork, and a long-term commitment to excellence.
Under his guidance, Duncan Aviation has continued to invest in team member development, expand its capabilities, and strengthen customer relationships while preserving the family-owned culture that sets the company apart.
Perhaps most importantly, Todd has helped ensure that thoughtful succession planning remains a priority. With a fourth generation of the Duncan family now involved in the business, he views stewardship not simply as preserving a legacy, but as preparing the company to thrive for decades to come.
Harry Barr helped transform Duncan Aviation from an ambitious startup into a growing aviation enterprise through a combination of skill, adaptability, and an unwavering passion for flight.
Born near Clarinda, Iowa, in 1935, Harry immersed himself in aviation from an early age. His enthusiasm quickly evolved into expertise, earning pilot certifications, operating aircraft, and developing the hands-on knowledge that would prove invaluable during Duncan Aviation’s formative years.
Working alongside founder Donald Duncan, Harry became known for his willingness to tackle any challenge. Whether flying aircraft, supporting customers, training pilots, or solving operational problems, he embodied the entrepreneurial spirit that defined the company’s early years.
Among his many contributions, Harry became one of the earliest type-rated pilots on the Lear 23 and helped introduce aviation to a young Robert Duncan by teaching him to fly.
His versatility, technical expertise, and commitment to service helped establish the culture of resourcefulness and customer support that continues to distinguish Duncan Aviation today.
Karen Duncan’s influence can be seen throughout Duncan Aviation’s culture—in its commitment to education, its investment in people, and its appreciation for creativity and lifelong learning.
Alongside her husband, Robert, Karen has long believed that strong organizations are built by supporting individuals and creating opportunities for growth. That philosophy helped inspire initiatives such as the Karen K. Duncan Scholarship Program, which has awarded hundreds of scholarships to children of Duncan Aviation team members pursuing higher education.
Her commitment to recognizing dedication also contributed to the creation of the Silver Wings Club, which honors team members who have devoted 25 or more years of their careers to the company. She and Robert are currently in the process of starting a Gold Wings Club for team members who have worked for Duncan Aviation 50 years or more.
Beyond Duncan Aviation, Karen has championed arts education, cultural engagement, and community involvement. Her appreciation for visual art and learning helped inspire the collaborative anniversary art project itself, making this collection a particularly fitting tribute to her impact.
Through her generosity, curiosity, and belief in people, Karen has helped foster a culture where individuals feel valued, supported, and empowered to succeed.
Each portrait in this collection tells a story. Together, they tell a much larger one.
They tell the story of a young entrepreneur who believed relationships mattered more than transactions. They tell the story of leaders who embraced change while remaining true to their values. They tell the story of pioneers, mentors, innovators, educators, and family members whose contributions helped shape Duncan Aviation over seven decades.
But perhaps most importantly, these works of art tell the story of the thousands of people who helped create them.
Every square represents an individual contribution. Every contribution represents a relationship. And every relationship represents a small part of Duncan Aviation’s journey from a single hangar in 1956 to a global leader in business aviation today.
As Duncan Aviation celebrates its 70th anniversary, this collection serves as both a tribute to the past and a reminder of what has always mattered most: people.
The aircraft, facilities, technologies, and services have evolved over the years. The commitment to family, integrity, craftsmanship, and customer care has not.
Just as thousands of individual squares came together to create these portraits, generations of customers, team members, industry partners, and community members have come together to build Duncan Aviation’s legacy.
And that legacy is still being created every day.
The artwork featured in this collection celebrates individuals whose influence helped shape Duncan Aviation’s first 70 years.
To learn more about the people, events, and defining moments behind these portraits, explore the book, Always Trust Your Cape: The Soaring Story of Duncan Aviation by Steve Jordon and Carol Hunt.
Drawing on decades of company history, the book provides a detailed look at the Duncan family’s entrepreneurial journey, the growth of business aviation, and the culture that continues to guide Duncan Aviation today.