Duncan Aviation

What It Is: A family-owned, Midwest-based business aircraft support company, Duncan Aviation provides MRO, sales and acquisitions, and FBO services from three locations; and engine and/or avionics services at three dozen more, in addition to mobile AOG call-out.

How It Grew: In 1956, after he and his wife Betty learned to fly, Donald Duncan, an Iowa-born car dealer, bought into and took charge of a Beechcraft distributorship in Omaha, Nebraska, renaming it Duncan Aviation. In 1963, the company opened a second facility in Lincoln, Nebraska and became a Learjet distributor. In 1967, the headquarters moved to Lincoln, and the following year, son Robert Duncan became president. By the late 1970s, Duncan also provided avionics, instrument, and accessory repairs, plus paint services; and in the 1980s, it added engine repairs, interior completions, and parts consignment services and launched its avionics satellite service network. 

Donald Duncan passed away early in that decade. In the 1990s, the company launched aircraft acquisition services and acquired a second MRO facility, in Battle Creek, Michigan. In this century, Duncan established its engine Rapid Response Team, introduced the myDuncan internet-based project-management tool, received Organization Designation Authorization, and opened a Provo, Utah facility. In 2007, Donald’s grandson, Todd, was named chairman. 

What It Offers: 

Services. Aircraft acquisition and sales; airframe and engine maintenance; avionics installations; interior completions and modifications; painting; avionics, instrument, and accessory repairs and overhauls; and parts support. Duncan is an authorized Bombardier, Dassault, Textron, Gulfstream, and Embraer service provider.

Avionics and engine repairs. More than 20 avionics satellites and 16 engine Rapid Response offices provide call-out AOG support. The company also offers 24/7/365 worldwide parts support.

FBOs. Duncan operates full-service FBOs at its three MRO locations.

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Quote: “I am proud and pleased that my children Todd and Paige are involved in the businesses. This ensures continuity of family involvement well into the future.” —former president Robert Duncan

Notable Achievement: Donald Duncan’s financial backing helped power the successful launch of the Learjet company.

Recent News: In January, Duncan debuted MRO services at Provo in a new 275,000-square-foot facility. In March, it introduced a web-based FBO pricing calculator that provides information on service costs at its three locations.

FAST FACTS:

Founded: 1956

HQ: Lincoln, Nebraska

Revenues: $253 million (estimated; Hoover’s)

Employees: About 1,200

Chairman: Todd Duncan

President & CEO: Aaron Hilkermann

Website: duncanaviation.aero