Duncan Aviation’s Rapid Response Team Marks 25th Anniversary of Mobile Engine & Airframe Service

Expert support, wherever you are. Duncan Aviation’s network of strategically positioned Rapid Response technicians means factory-trained expertise is always nearby, ready to solve your needs quickly and efficiently across the United States. Click image for high-res download.

LINCOLN, NEB. — Duncan Aviation marks the 25th anniversary of its first mobile engine RRT (Rapid Response Team) located at Dallas Love Field.

In 2000, a dedicated team of mobile-ready turbine engine technicians was formed in the Dallas, Texas, area, becoming Duncan Aviation’s first Engine Rapid Response launch office. Other teams quickly followed in Chicago, Illinois; Denver, Colorado; Phoenix, Arizona; and Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The teams provided mobile troubleshooting and AOG engine support for the Honeywell TFE731 engines. The goal was to support operators with much-needed engine support in the field.  

As time went on and word got out, each team developed relationships with local customers. Business started trending closer to home as more calls came in for small, routine inspections. At the same time, the teams were being asked to perform more work on the Honeywell AS907 and on additional engine platforms, including Pratt & Whitney, Williams, and GE.

Today, engine RRT has more than 30 factory-trained technicians who travel more than 250,000 land miles annually in 27 fully stocked service vehicles, performing nearly 1,500 AOG and in-field events. They are strategically positioned across the United States, from Seattle to Fort Lauderdale, and from Long Beach to New York. And yes, they are still in the Dallas area, located at the Addison, Texas, airport. All are well-equipped with the necessary tooling and a long list of capabilities, including troubleshooting, routine periodic inspections, vibration surveys, on-the-wing repairs, engine removals and reinstallations, and line maintenance, including LRU (Line Replaceable Unit) changes and borescope inspections.

The RRT road capabilities have grown to include all Honeywell engine and APU (Auxiliary Power Unit) models, Pratt & Whitney JT15D, 300, and 500 series, General Electric CF34, Williams FJ44, and the Rolls Royce Spey/Tay/BR engine models. They work with the full support of Duncan Aviation’s three full-service MRO (maintenance, repair, & overhaul) facilities in Battle Creek, Michigan; Lincoln, Nebraska; and Provo, Utah, providing additional tooling and technicians as needed.

Airframe Capabilities Added To RRT

In 2019, the RRT experienced a transformation and expansion. Due to increased customer demand for more mobile airframe AOG and inspection services, three more Rapid Response teams, this time specializing in airframe services, were formed and based at Duncan Aviation’s MRO facilities. In all, an additional 18 airframe technicians and eight fully stocked service vehicles are now on-call for airframe inspections, maintenance tasks, and discrepancies.

Shane Heier, RRT Manager-Engine, and Russ Haugen, RRT Manager-MRO, are leading Duncan Aviation’s Rapid Response network across the country. Together, they ensure the customer is connected to the appropriate team closest to the aircraft’s location. They create a united front to meet the customers’ needs wherever they are and with whatever they need.

Both agree that the future of Duncan Aviation’s Rapid Response Teams will be marked by unity across disciplines.

“It doesn’t matter what the needs of our customers are,” says Heier. “When we get the call, we will respond accordingly.”

Although the primary focus of these teams is on airframe and engine work, if a customer has avionics needs, they will coordinate with the nearest Duncan Aviation Satellite shop and help the customer get the issue fixed.

Future growth plans include having more airframe-qualified technicians in the field at RRT launch locations across the country.

To connect to Duncan Aviation’s AOG RRT service and support, complete the online AOG form. Within 30 minutes, you’ll receive a response from a Duncan Aviation RRT member. 

It doesn’t matter where an aircraft is located. Duncan Aviation Rapid Response answers the call, bringing the necessary resources —technicians, tooling, and/or parts — to minimize downtime and restore flight operations.

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://DuncanAviation.aero/services