Duncan Aviation Welcomes Four Design Assistants

Duncan Aviation is pleased to welcome four Design Assistants to its aircraft interior design teams: Tara Schamehorn in Battle Creek, Michigan; Halle Russell and Schyler Hoberty in Lincoln, Nebraska; and Taelyn Fauset in Provo, Utah. Click image for high-res download.

LINCOLN, NEB. — Duncan Aviation is pleased to welcome four Design Assistants to its aircraft interior design teams: Tara Schamehorn in Battle Creek, Michigan; Halle Russell and Schyler Hoberty in Lincoln, Nebraska; and Taelyn Fauset in Provo, Utah. 

Their appointments complement the addition of new full-time designers announced separately and provide added support for the important behind-the-scenes work that shapes the customer experience throughout an aircraft refurbishment. 

When customers begin planning a new aircraft interior, the most visible decisions often involve colors, materials, patterns, and finishes. Behind each of those selections, however, are many details that must be researched, organized, documented, communicated, and carried forward throughout the project. 

Design Assistants work alongside Duncan Aviation’s designers to help prepare material samples and presentations, research options, organize customer selections, maintain design documentation, and support communication with the teams responsible for bringing each concept to life. As selections evolve, they help ensure the most current information remains organized and accessible throughout the project. 

Although customers may not see every step of that work, they experience its value. The additional support allows designers to remain focused on listening to customers, understanding how they use their aircraft, and developing interiors that reflect their preferences. It also helps create continuity between the design presented to the customer and the details ultimately executed by Duncan Aviation’s production teams. 

Tara Schamehorn | Battle Creek, Michigan 

Schamehorn earned a Bachelor of Science in Fashion Merchandising from Western Michigan University. Before joining Duncan Aviation on August 24, 2026, she spent five years as a bridal consultant, where she developed a strong understanding of how fabrics, colors, textures, and other materials work together. 

Although new to the professional interior design field, Schamehorn’s previous role gave her valuable experience listening to clients, understanding their preferences, and helping them make highly personal selections. Those skills translate naturally to aircraft interior design, where every material and finish contributes to the overall appearance and atmosphere of the cabin. 

Schamehorn had long been interested in interior design when a close family friend in the aviation industry encouraged her to explore aircraft interiors as a potential career. After touring Duncan Aviation’s facilities and connecting with several team members, she became increasingly interested in the company and the specialized work performed by its design teams. 

She approaches design with close attention to detail and believes each selection should contribute to a cohesive story. As she begins her career in aviation, Schamehorn looks forward to helping customers explore new ideas while remaining focused on their priorities and overall vision for the aircraft. 

Halle Russell | Lincoln, Nebraska 

Russell earned an Associate’s Degree in Architectural Design from Southeast Community College. Her interest in design began during high school, when an interior design class introduced her to the creative and technical considerations involved in shaping a space. 

She continued developing that interest through her education at Southeast Community College. Russell first learned about Duncan Aviation when Recruiter Drew Carmen visited her class to discuss the company and its career opportunities. The possibility of designing private aircraft interiors immediately stood out as a unique way to apply her education and creativity. 

Russell joined Duncan Aviation as an intern in January 2026. After completing the internship, she was promoted to Design Assistant. 

Her design interests center on creating spaces that feel comfortable, inviting, and personal. She also enjoys incorporating color, intricate patterns, and distinctive details that give an aircraft its own recognizable personality. Russell approaches each project with an openness to new ideas and a desire to help create an interior that feels memorable and individually suited to the customer. 

Schyler Hoberty | Lincoln, Nebraska 

Hoberty graduated from Fort Hays State University in Hays, Kansas, with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Interior Design. Her interest in design began at an early age through her father, who worked as a carpenter and frequently included her in his projects. 

Watching those projects progress from an initial idea to a completed space helped Hoberty appreciate both the process of creating something and the reaction it could inspire. Seeing the excitement and emotional impact of a completed project ultimately led her to pursue a career focused on creating meaningful spaces for others. 

During her four years at Fort Hays State University, Hoberty gained experience in concept development, space planning, material selection, research, presentations, and technical design software. A senior-year Airbnb project gave her an opportunity to apply those skills in a more realistic setting and consider how an interior would function for actual users. 

Hoberty joined Duncan Aviation in June 2026 as a Design Assistant in Lincoln. The opportunity to return to Nebraska and begin her professional career appealed to her, but the people and culture she experienced throughout the interview process ultimately made Duncan Aviation feel like the right fit. 

She believes interior design involves more than creating an attractive space. Her approach balances creativity with functionality, comfort, and purpose while keeping the experience of the person using the space at the center of the process. Hoberty looks forward to continuing to develop those skills while learning about the specialized world of aviation interior design. 

Taelyn Fauset | Provo, Utah 

Fauset has long been interested in the process of bringing different elements together to create intentional, cohesive spaces. Design courses helped her strengthen her skills and deepen her interest in pursuing design professionally. 

Before joining Duncan Aviation, Fauset worked as a design assistant supporting residential and commercial projects. That experience taught her the importance of balancing visual appeal with functionality while listening closely to each client’s needs and preferences. 

Fauset joined Duncan Aviation on September 21, 2026, as a Design Assistant in Provo. She discovered the opportunity online and was immediately drawn to the specialized nature of aircraft interior design, as well as Duncan Aviation’s reputation as a genuine and talented organization. 

Thoughtful, detail-oriented, and open to new ideas, Fauset approaches each project with the goal of creating a space that feels purposeful and visually cohesive. Although aviation interiors are a new area for her, she looks forward to expanding her knowledge, contributing her previous design experience, and helping the team develop aircraft interiors that reflect each customer’s individual vision. 

With these four additions, Duncan Aviation’s design teams at all three full-service facilities gain support at important touchpoints throughout the refurbishment process. Their work will help keep customer selections organized, project information current, and design intent clearly communicated as each concept moves closer to completion. 

Customers may not see every sample prepared, option researched, or detail documented behind the scenes. They will see the result: an aircraft interior in which each element feels purposeful, cohesive, and connected to their vision. 

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