Duncan Aviation’s Gary Harpster Named Aircraft Electronics Association’s Member of the Year

May 9, 2008

LINCOLN, NEB — Gary Harpster of Duncan Aviation was named the 2008 AEA Member of the Year on April 25 during the AEA International Convention & Trade Show in Washington, D.C. The AEA Member of the Year Award process begins with a nominating committee assembling a list of individuals who have gone above and beyond in their efforts to promote the general aviation community and are actively involved in the affairs of the AEA. Once the slate of nominees is assembled, it is sent to the full AEA membership for a vote — which means the winners of the award truly are being recognized for their service and participation in the industry and in the Association.

Gary Harpster is well-known throughout the industry and the AEA membership. Harpster’s career began in the U.S. Navy as a Seabee. Following his service in the Navy, Harpster graduated from Iowa Western University, where he received a degree in electronics technology.

“I grew up less than two miles from the Omaha airport in Nebraska, so I was always fascinated by the different types of airplanes that flew over our house,” Harpster said. “When I was 20 and stationed in Puerto Rico with the Navy, I traded flying lessons for scuba diving lessons to a local instructor who was teaching on the base.”

Harpster flew for Omaha Air Supply for two years before landing a job at Sky Harbor in Omaha as manager of the avionics shop. In 1985, he joined Duncan Aviation and helped set up satellite shops in Houston, Texas, and Cleveland, Ohio. He then became an avionics technical representative; his current position is in avionics sales.

“When cockpit voice recorders became mandatory, I transferred to avionics sales in Lincoln, and I’ve been in that capacity ever since,” he said.

Harpster holds a private pilot’s license and a commercial pilot’s license. He has been an AEA board member since 2005, and he serves on the AEA Trusteeship Committee.

Duncan Aviation is an aircraft service provider with 2,000 employees supporting the aviation needs of government and business operators and other service providers. Services include major and minor airframe inspections and maintenance, engine services, major retrofits for cabin and cockpit systems in addition to full paint and interior services and aircraft sales and acquisitions. Complete service facilities are located in Lincoln, Neb., and Battle Creek, Mich. Additional locations include more than 20 satellite avionics facilities strategically located throughout the United States and components solutions available 24/7 at 800.562.6377 that can handle any aircraft system problem with immediate exchanges, rotables, loaners or any avionics/instrument/accessory/propeller repairs and overhauls.

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