In the Spring of 1985, Duncan Aviation introduced the business aviation industry to Chairman Emeritus J. Robert Duncan’s unique, visionary concept of Satellite Avionics Shops. Robert saw the shops as remote extensions of Duncan Aviation’s avionics expertise, putting skilled technicians near customers to save everyone involved time and money.
In the ensuing 40 years, Duncan Aviation has expanded its Satellite network from the original four established in 1985 to today’s 28 shops.
This extensive network operates as envisioned, with skilled Duncan Aviation technicians providing avionics repairs and installations at airports near our customers and often even in their own hangars.
“We have worked really hard over the years to maintain focus on Robert’s original vision for the Satellite network,” says Manager of Satellite Operations Matt Nelson. “Although the dynamics of the business have dramatically changed over the last decade especially, our core mission to meet the avionics needs of our customers has not.”
+1 402.470.4670
Mark.Winter@DuncanAviation.com
As the Duncan Aviation Satellite network and the services provided have grown, so has the need for someone to turn to with questions about installations, schedules, available space, and quotes. In December 2024, Mark Winter, the former manager of the Satellite Shop in Houston, Texas, was named Duncan Aviation’s Regional Avionics Sales Manager for the Satellites, and he serves as a single point of contact for customers.
For instance, if you’re looking to install a new Wi-Fi system in mid- to-late summer, Mark knows which Satellite shops have the hangar capacity, labor, and availability to complete the work when it suits your schedule.
“We’ve seen the need for some dedicated sales assistance in order to help customers with more timely solutions for their avionics obsolescence and upgrade needs,” says Matt. “Sometimes, these things require a quick turnaround in order to meet schedules and match with our availability. This is Mark’s passion, and we are excited to have his help in this capacity.”
As with Robert Duncan’s original vision, this new role was designed to save customers time and money. Instead of calling around to the various Satellites to get quotes and find out which shops have capacity, you simply pick up the phone and call Mark.
“I’m here as a resource to make clients aware of which Duncan Aviation Satellite shops are available to do the work they need at any given time,” says Mark.
Mark’s role also saves the Satellite Managers valuable time. Rather than taking time away from ongoing projects in order to reach out to customers about future work, Satellite Managers can remain in their shops, focused on their teams and their current projects.
Mark summarizes, “I’m here to assist customers, to help the Satellite shops fill their schedules, and to change potential customers into lifetime clients.”
Give Mark a call or send him an email to get information, a quote, or a timeline for work at one of Duncan Aviation’s Satellites.
+1 713.201.1824
Chad.Sweppenhiser@DuncanAviation.com
In the last 40 years, there have been only five Managers at Duncan Aviation’s first-ever Satellite established at the Hobby Airport in Houston, Texas. Mark Winter, its fourth, managed the shop for the last 15 years, and Chad Sweppenhiser, its fifth, was promoted to Manager in December 2024, when Mark took on the role of Regional Avionics Sales Manager for the Satellites.
Founded in 1985, the Houston Satellite Shop, then staffed with a solo technician, has outgrown a couple of hangars, grown to more than two dozen team members, and expanded its reach well beyond Texas.
Today, the steady demands of customers keep 20 technicians, a handful of sheetmetal specialists, a couple of inspectors, a tech rep, and an admin assistant busy.
Back in the day, that solo tech worked on Learjets. Today’s techs are installing CMSes (Cabin Management Systems), upgrading flight decks, downloading data from FDRs/CVRs (Flight Data Recorders & Cockpit Voice Recorders), and installing connectivity systems on Globals and Gulfstreams. Just as the Houston Satellite has grown, so have the others throughout the network. Staffed with qualified, experienced technicians, Duncan Aviation’s customers have visited our Satellites for installations and upgrades for the following, among others: