Duncan Aviation Completes 20th Year in its Turbine Engine Maintenance Facility

Duncan Aviation's Turbine Engine Maintenance team in the Turbine Engine Maintenance Facility, which just celebrated 20 years in its current location. Click image for high-res download.

LINCOLN, NEB — In 1999, Duncan Aviation expanded its turbine engine service business into a newly remodeled 20,000-sq.-ft. facility to accommodate its rapidly growing Honeywell TFE731 business. In the 20 years since, the company’s engine team has continued to add new capabilities, tools, and authorizations.

Over two decades ago, the demand for Duncan Aviation engine service work had increased to the point that shop space was a limiting factor. The decision to move to the new facility was an easy one allowing for continued expansion, improved efficiency, and more servicing flexibility. It brought all of the engine service and back shop capabilities into one place, including a consolidated engine parts inventory, dedicated on-site NDT (nondestructive testing) lab, and a separate room for flow and balance equipment.

The Duncan Aviation engine parts inventory continued to expand at such a rate that in 2014, it required a move into its own 10,000-sq.-ft. space.

In 2016, the overhaul shop went through another expansion with the addition of a 20,000-lb., thrust-class turbofan engine test cell and state-of-the-art control room. The NDT and balance and flow rooms added new equipment and authorizations to support both Honeywell HTF and TFE engines.

Duncan Aviation’s engine program is not finished growing. “We put a priority on investing in new tooling, training, and team members not only to meet immediate demands but with an eye to the future,” says Duncan Aviation’s Engine Overhaul Manager Scott Stoki.

Stoki goes on to say even seemingly small investments have large impacts on the shop’s ability to bring added services in-house, which can improve turntimes and provide positive customer experiences. Such is the case with the recent purchase of new shot peen equipment. “We were already able to shot peen fan blades but the new equipment has a larger capacity and allows us to shot peen fan discs, fan blades, compressor wheels, and the impeller wheel after blend repairs.”

Six of the original 15 engine technicians that moved to the new facility 20 years ago are still there. Greg Palensky, Engine Overhaul Team Leader, is one of them. He witnessed all of the changes over the years, but there is one thing he says hasn’t changed. “The technology sure has changed, but we have always worked together as one team, pulling our weight, and treating everyone like family. That hasn’t changed. It never will.”

In addition to being a Honeywell Authorized Service Facility (HTF7000 Series Minor & TFE731 Heavy), Duncan Aviation is authorized by Pratt & Whitney, GE, Williams International, and Rolls Royce to perform a broad spectrum of engine services including MPI, CZI, HSI, and other major maintenance.

About Duncan Aviation

Duncan Aviation is an aircraft service provider supporting the aviation needs of business aircraft operators, government agencies, and other aircraft service providers. Services include major and minor airframe inspections, engine maintenance, major retrofits for cabin and cockpit avionics systems, full paint and interior services, engineering and certification services, fabrication and manufacturing services, and preowned aircraft sales and acquisitions. Duncan Aviation also has international aircraft components solutions experts available 24/7/365 at +1 402.475.4125 who can handle any aircraft system problem with immediate exchanges, rotables, loaners or avionics/instrument/accessory repairs and overhauls. Complete service facilities are located in Battle Creek, Michigan; Lincoln, Nebraska; and Provo, Utah. We also have dozens of other facilities strategically located throughout the United States to provide customers with scheduled regional support and the quickest response possible to avionics, engine and airframe Aircraft On Ground (AOG) situations.

For more information about any of Duncan Aviation’s services, call +1 402.475.2611 or visit https://www.DuncanAviation.aero/services