With the safety of our customers and team members always at the forefront, Duncan Aviation first began researching SMS (Safety Management Systems) in 2011. By 2014, despite no FAA mandate requiring it at the time, Duncan Aviation voluntarily implemented our SMS with the initial release of our SMS manual in 2018.
“What’s unique about our SMS is that we have one program that covers all of our locations—the three main MRO facilities and all of our Satellite Shops and RRTs throughout the country. Because of our size, we have the opportunity to share information among locations and learn from our own mistakes as a network of multiple maintenance providers,” says Enterprise SMS Manager Mike Brown.
Because Duncan Aviation has had an SMS in place for more than 10 years, team members are aware of and directly involved in identifying hazards and mitigating risk, and they see the benefit of the entire system. They are not reluctant to report issues, and they actively participate in both the investigation and the process to develop solid preventative actions and measures. The result is greater reliability, fewer surprises, and added peace of mind for customers.
Another idea that shows Robert Duncan’s creativity and willingness to try new things was the Duncan Aviation-Sotheby’s Aircraft Auction, which took place in Lincoln on June 27, 1990.
The famous auction house specializes in artwork and high-ticket items, attracting international bidders. Since Robert and Karen were avid art collectors, they were familiar with the auctions. They thought it would be a good way to sell some top-dollar aircraft with a high-class environment during a time when the market was sluggish. The event was a first, and it made a number of prominent headlines. Only a few aircraft sold, but the unique event helped lift Duncan Aviation’s brand as a creative, can-do company.
Although the auction was a one-time event, the intent behind it—to challenge convention and pursue new solutions that benefit customers—remains part of Duncan Aviation’s approach today.
For customers, a well-built and detailed quote sets expectations long before an aircraft enters the hangar. With an average of 21 years of business aviation experience—and extensive hands-on time in shops and on the hangar floor—members of Duncan Aviation’s technical sales team understand how the work is actually performed.
That practical knowledge allows us to develop complete, accurate quotes that reflect true scope and realistic timelines. The result is fewer surprises, better cost control, and clearer planning from the start, allowing customers to make informed decisions, have predictable outcomes, and be confident that each project is outlined by people who understand every step of the process.
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1981 marked the opening of Duncan Aviation’s first Interior department. What began in Lincoln with five team members has grown into a multi-location interior operation with 170 team members in Lincoln, 106 in Battle Creek, and 71 in Provo. Originally started as a way to support the aircraft Duncan Aviation bought and sold, our interior services saw decades of growth driven by customer demand for quality interior refurbishment with increasing capabilities, experienced craftsmanship, creative customization, and consistent interior support across our MRO network.