Duncan Aviation is the world’s largest family owned maintenance, repair, and overhaul company in business aviation. But why does that matter and why would you want to work for Duncan Aviation.
Besides the extremely high employee satisfaction rates, Duncan Aviation offers career growth, the ability to work with the latest technology, fantastic wellness benefits, education opportunities, and more.
But maybe you have never considered a career in aviation, and you may be wondering what business aviation is all about. When looking at aviation career choices, most people think about becoming pilots and flying for the commercial airlines or joining the military and making flight missions. Aviation is much broader than that though, and business aviation is the specific industry segment that Duncan Aviation is proud to serve.
Business aviation uses aircraft like planes, helicopters, and drones for non-military, non-commercial purposes, boosting efficiency for businesses and governments. Operators commonly transport employees such as sales people, clients, and even cargo to an event or location. General aviation aircraft can access over 5,300 US public airports in the US, significantly more than commercial airlines. This offers schedule flexibility, bypassing airport delays, and enabling private in-flight meetings.
Beyond business, it's crucial in disaster relief and medical emergencies, supporting humanitarian missions through organizations like the Red Cross and Angel Flight. This industry provides essential aid, demonstrating its versatility beyond typical business applications, and offering rapid transport to remote or underserved locations. The ability to quickly adapt to urgent situations highlights business aviation’s vital role in both commerce and humanitarian efforts.
Duncan Aviation offers many different career paths, starting from entry level roles like Parts Runner or an intern to Airframe Mechanic, an Upholstery Specialist, a Sales Representative, a supportive role in Human Resources, or anything in-between. Once you have a position at Duncan Aviation, you’re in a great starting place for an aviation career. You’re able to build connections with so many people throughout Duncan Aviation and the entire aviation industry. Those connections could lead to new opportunities in other areas of Duncan Aviation.
Aviation careers can include working with aircraft, of course. They can also include working in a variety of positions that don’t work directly with aircraft. Here are just a few of the job titles for positions regularly hired by Duncan Aviation.
Duncan Aviation has a long history that dates back to 1956 when an entrepreneur named Donald Duncan realized the value airplanes could bring to local businesses and bought into a Beechcraft distributorship in Omaha, Nebraska, forming the roots of Duncan Aviation.
In 1963, Duncan Aviation opened a facility in Lincoln, Nebraska, at the then-new Lincoln Municipal Airport and Donald arranged to be a Learjet Distributor. Over the years, he would sell hundreds of Learjets. Donald moved the headquarters to Lincoln in 1967 and closed the Omaha location. Then in 1968, Donald’s son, Robert, who had worked full-time for the company for only three years, became President.
Throughout the 1980s and early 1990s, Duncan Aviation grew in size and experience with innovative ideas. Many partnerships with aircraft manufacturers were forged and authorized service agreements were obtained for the major OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturer). Innovative growth also came from development of a satellite avionics network, a parts consignment service, and a jet acquisition/consulting offering.
In 1996, Aaron Hilkemann became President of Duncan Aviation, and he developed a senior leadership team to help guide the company and make mindful, strategic decisions. Over the next 25 years, the company quadrupled in size. Innovation and change have always been a part of Duncan Aviation.
In 2007, Robert retired and his son and longtime Duncan Aviation team member Todd Duncan was named Chairman, where he leads the company’s Board of Directors.
“I’m so proud to be a part of Duncan Aviation’s legacy,” says Todd. “Being family owned gives us the ability to plan long-term for our team members and our customers. With my twin sons entering the business recently, making Duncan Aviation a fourth-generation business, our family ownership structure is in place to support the company and our team members for decades to come.”
Today, Duncan Aviation is headquartered in Lincoln with other locations, shops, and teams located across the United States. Three full-service MRO locations provide tip-to-tail service for just about any business aircraft. These services include airframe maintenance, engine repairs and overhauls, interior modifications and completions, exterior paint, avionics installations, and full-service Fixed Based Operator (FBO) support with fuel and line services. There are more than two dozen Satellite locations that provide avionics line and installations services. We also provide dedicated engine Rapid Response teams at strategically placed launch locations. These team members help customers when they need us most by providing engine line services, troubleshooting, and repairs to get their aircraft back up and running again after various Airplane-On-Ground (AOG) events.
Duncan Aviation believes that the most important contributor to customer satisfaction is the quality of its workforce and the training its team members receive; if the company takes care of its team members, the team members will in turn take care of the customers.
This attitude earned Duncan Aviation placement for four successive years on FORTUNE magazine’s list of the 100 Best Companies to Work For.
“Duncan Aviation boasts intelligent, driven and passionate team members, hundreds of whom have worked for us for 25 years or more,” Todd says. “We are a company of outstanding individuals who strive to be the best team in the field and provide customers with outstanding service. Ask about Duncan Aviation throughout the industry and you will hear that our brand represents excellent quality, service and ethics for our customers and our team members.”
Duncan Aviation's commitment to employee development is evident in its strong educational infrastructure, centered around its three Technical Education Centers (TECs) located in Lincoln, Nebraska; Battle Creek, Michigan; and Provo, Utah. These TECs serve as an enterprise-wide resource to help team members navigate their pathways to AMT (Aviation Maintenance Technician) certification and career advancement, offering a comprehensive suite of programs designed to empower employees at every stage of their professional journey.
The Lincoln TEC stands as the cornerstone of Duncan Aviation's DOL (Department of Labor) approved Airframe and Powerplant Apprenticeship programs. This facility acts as a central resource, guiding team members through the intricate pathways toward AMT certification. The Battle Creek and Provo TECs, each staffed by experienced Technical Training Coordinators, provide localized support and personalized guidance, ensuring that employees receive tailored assistance. Notably, the Provo location extends its support to team members across all Duncan Aviation service locations. Since their establishment in 2019-2020, these TECs have successfully facilitated the certification of over 70 Duncan Aviation technicians, underscoring their effectiveness.
The TECs offer three primary educational products: the DOL Apprenticeship Program, the AMT Test Prep Program, and the O&P (Oral and Practical) Test Prep program. The Nebraska-based DOL Apprenticeship Program is a 24-month structured program that combines on-the-job training with classroom instruction. Apprentices work under the supervision of seasoned Duncan Aviation technicians, gaining practical experience and fulfilling the FAA’s experience requirements. The program covers essential topics such as flight theory, aircraft structural makeup and repair, aircraft systems design, operation and repair, aircraft inspections, and FAA regulations. None of this would be possible without the support of many subject matter experts willing to coach and mentor those who follow them.
Jarrek Renshaw, a Powerplant-certified technician from the Lincoln facility, exemplifies the program's success. He highlights the program’s ability to unlock career opportunities, including roles as a QI (Qualified Inspector) and advancement to Tech III or Lead Tech positions. This program is also registered with the U.S. DOL and the U.S. Department of Education, enabling U.S. military veterans to utilize their GI Bill benefits. With a value of $32,000, the program is provided free of charge to team members who successfully complete it and earn their FAA Airframe or Powerplant certificate. Participants receive textbooks, study materials, and testing resources. The program demands significant dedication, combining full-time paid work with rigorous study. Upon completing coursework and experience requirements, apprentices undergo FAA certification testing, including written, oral, and practical exams.
Each TEC offers an AMT Test Prep Program designed for experienced industry or military technicians who lack FAA certification. It offers focused study and preparation for FAA written exams, providing materials, resources, and exam structure.
“We realized there are hundreds of team members who may have served in the military, been with the company building experience, or who completed an FAA-approved curriculum, but never completed their certification,” says Darwin Godemann, Enterprise Team Leader for the TEC. “This provides a variety of pathways to become certificated.”
Following the written exams, the O&P Test Prep program prepares technicians for the oral and practical exams conducted by a DME (Designated Mechanic Examiner). Subject Matter Experts provide coaching on oral and practical questions, ensuring that team members are confident and well-prepared. The oral portion requires verbal responses to questions based on written test results, while the practical portion involves hands-on projects. Successful completion of both exams results in the immediate issuance of a temporary Airman’s certificate.
“It’s all about helping to make sure they know what to expect, and are confident and comfortable when the time comes,” explains Darwin.
The success of these programs relies heavily on the expertise of Subject Matter Experts, including certified A&Ps with extensive experience. Bob Tooker, a retired Duncan Aviation mechanic with over 50 years of experience and recipient of the FAA’s Charles Taylor Master Mechanic Award, contributes to the O&P test prep.
“I tell our team members that you’re getting help from a master mechanic who has 50+ years of experience,” says Darwin. “He is helping to bring up the younger generation.”
Sharing knowledge and coaching new employees in their careers is at the heart of Duncan Aviation.
“Those who help either take time out of their work day or come back from retirement to help the next generation of technicians,” says Darwin. “That shows a dedication not only to Duncan Aviation, but to the industry. None of what we do in the TEC would be possible without them.”
This commitment to knowledge sharing and coaching is central to Duncan Aviation’s culture.
An internship at Duncan Aviation is more than just another job. It is a way to gain experience in the industry, network, learn, and prepare for the future. Each year we offer roughly 50 summer internships at our full-service facilities in Battle Creek, Michigan; Lincoln, Nebraska; and Provo, Utah. These internships allow students the opportunity to learn more about the company and explore possible career paths.
Interns are treated like any new hire. They attend orientation to receive a solid understanding of the company and culture. They are placed on teams, paired with a mentor, and given actual projects to work on. By pairing the interns with experienced technicians, they get a chance to build relationships and learn at a deeper level than any school can provide.
Duncan Aviation supports veterans by partnering with The Department of Defense SkillBridge program, which is an opportunity for service members to gain valuable civilian work experience through specific industry training, apprenticeships, or internships during their last 180 days of service. The program helps them bridge the gap between their end of service and the beginning of their civilian careers. Approximately 25% of Duncan Aviation’s current workforce has served, or is currently serving, in a branch of the US military.
The SkillBridge program allows service members to receive their military compensation and benefits while we provide training and work expertise. Since 2019, we have had 55 service members take part in the SkillBridge Program at Duncan Aviation; 29 have come from the Air Force, 17 from the Navy, six from the Marines, and three from the Army. Of the 55 interns, 28 have been hired full-time.
Corporate Recruiter for Military Services Dave Packer is a 22+ year Navy veteran himself and appreciates those who have chosen to serve in the armed forces.
"I know the challenges of serving, and how uncertain it can feel once you decide to get out, because I’ve been there," says Dave. "Veterans play an integral role at Duncan Aviation, bringing real-world experience with them. That’s one of the main reasons we actively recruit them. Duncan Aviation is a great place for veterans to work after their service — with more than 600 veterans across the company, they’ll find it easy to relate. We even have a new Veterans Employee Resource Group that veterans can join, even if just for some camaraderie or to take advantage of guest speakers who keep us updated on benefits changes, for example.”
You can learn more about the SkillBridge Program at Duncan Aviation here.
Matthew Gruber has spent the past 22 years in the Air Force and is a former Recruiting intern at our facility in Battle Creek, Michigan.
“Transition from the military can be stressful with a lot of unknowns,” Matthew says. “I wanted to utilize the SkillBridge program to learn about business aviation and use the skills I gained through my time in the service.”
Matthew says that Duncan Aviation has given him the ability to learn and apply the skills and education he has to set himself up for future success in the civilian world.
“I have absolutely enjoyed my time here,” says Matthew. “I didn’t know what to expect coming in for my first day, but I’ll say I was immediately welcomed into the family. It’s great to see a culture of respect with employees smiling. The culture is second to none.”
Matthew says that if you are a service member with a background in aviation or a desire to learn corporate aviation, there is no place like Duncan Aviation.
“I’ve met a handful of other veterans and we all agree that working here is exceptional,” he explains. “The education and skills gained through the military experience set you up for success at Duncan Aviation. The entire team has been very easy to work with. They are flexible to my questions and my desire to understand the many different operations, sections, and procedures that happen on a daily basis. My overall experience has been a blessing.”
The purpose of Duncan Aviation's Wellness Program is to empower our team members and their families to live a healthy lifestyle, providing numerous avenues of wellness services so they can be productive and happy at work. Our goal is to foster well-being and help them live their best lives.
The Wellness Programs at Duncan Aviation reflect our organization caring about our team members on a personal level. The company has onsite health centers, staffed with medical providers, for convenient care options as well as a registered dietitian and certified strength and conditioning specialists.
“We truly have the best of the best providers working together so that we can offer a holistic wellness package,” says Peyton Janicek, Wellness Coordinator. “It’s an additional component of our benefits package that comes free to team members that would cost hundreds of dollars outside of Duncan Aviation.”
All three full-service Duncan Aviation facilities (in Lincoln, Nebraska; Battle Creek, Michigan; and Provo, Utah) have workout facilities that are equipped with state-of-the-art equipment. They are open 24/7 and are free for team members and their families.
Providing our team members with a free workout facility saves them hundreds of dollars per year,” explains Peyton. “From treadmills to stair-steppers, dumbbells, kettle bells, cable machines, and everything in-between, each facility has everything you could possibly need.”
The list of wellness initiatives goes on and on. Wellness Coordinators host and coordinate webinars, quarterly challenges, specialty fitness classes, fitness/ nutrition consultations, oversee the initiatives of the onsite health centers, perform inBody scans, coordinate the Corporate Games, and manage the diabetes management program and medication delivery service. They also host wellness fairs, fun runs, and skate nights for team members and their families.
“It all comes down to being a resource for our team members,” says Kristen Fannon, Wellness Coordinator. “We try to find fun and interactive ways to get our team members to be more cognizant of their health.”
“We have had team members who were able to stop using their blood pressure or diabetes medications because they got their lifestyle factors under control, and we have had people stop using tobacco after 40 years of use,” says Kristen. “In most cases, when our team members regularly come to see us, they lose weight and/or build muscle, and engage in healthier lifestyles.”
Peyton explains that experiencing these success stories makes it all worth it.
“Kristen and I work hard to be a resource for our team members,” she says. “When we see a team member take a greater focus on their health, or make a huge lifestyle change, it makes it all worth it.”
Learn more about opportunities at Duncan Aviation and fill out an application to join the team.