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News & Media A whole lot of wow

A whole lot of wow

Duncan Aviation’s facilities—and its work—are impressive

November 1, 2016 By Julie Summers Walker
The numbers tell the story—370,000 square feet; 610 employees; 35 top-of-the-line business jets; 110 pieces of artwork; 24/7/365 parts support; 60 years in business. That’s the Duncan Aviation facility in Battle Creek, Michigan, a place where such turbine aircraft as Falcons, Challengers, Citations, and Gulfstreams go to be pampered, rejuvenated, updated, upgraded, and invigorated. A spa, if you will, for business jets.

Completions, Duncan style

  • Completions, Duncan style
    The Battle Creek facility can care for 35-plus jets at a time.
  • Completions, Duncan style
    Original artwork is on display throughout the Battle Creek, Michigan, facility.
  • Completions, Duncan style
    Fine finishing such as interior paneling...
  • Completions, Duncan style
    ...and other work is accomplished by highly skilled workers.
  • Completions, Duncan style
    Tom Burt is the CEO of Duncan Aviation’s Battle Creek, Michigan, facility.
  • Completions, Duncan style
    Michigan’s Kal-Aero and Duncan merged in 1998; original founders John M. Ellis, Preston Parish, and Suzanne D. Parrish are immortalized in bronze .
  • Completions, Duncan style
    Custom materials for interiors are a hallmark of the company.
  • Completions, Duncan style
    Jets and turboprops get top-of-the-line treatment.
  • Completions, Duncan style
    Skilled craftsmen and women ensure that Duncan’s work is superior--from stripping paint...
  • Completions, Duncan style
    ...to custom stitching seats for interiors.
  • Completions, Duncan style
    Customers have a comfortable lounge area as well as private work areas.
  • Completions, Duncan style
    Massive jets receive TLC in the paint shop as workers hand-strip and apply paint removers.

Duncan has three maintenance, repair, and overhaul facilities—this behemoth in Battle Creek; the original facility in Lincoln, Nebraska; and another in Provo, Utah. Started in 1956 by Iowa farmer Donald Duncan, Duncan Aviation today is the largest privately owned business jet support facility in the world. The company provides acquisition, sales, and nose-to-tail support service. At Battle Creek, 30 to 35 jets usually are on site, receiving a range of repair and refurbishment. Owners and customers are given first-class treatment, too; there are eight private rooms for conducting business, and guests are free to roam the massive facility, checking on their aircraft’s progress.

The variety of work is impressive: heavy maintenance and structural repair; turbine engine maintenance and repair; avionics maintenance and repair; new avionics and electronics installations; exterior painting and design; interior refurbishment and modification. Need new carpet? Want new seating? Would you prefer customized cabinetry? How about some new dishes for the galley? A unique paint scheme?

Duncan’s clients have included Oprah Winfrey, Wheel of Fortune’s Pat Sajak, and Jimmy Buffet. Duncan painted Virgin Aircraft’s Falcon 900EX, Galactic Girl, and the SEXYjet—a Gulfstream V.

If all of this isn’t impressive enough, Duncan Aviation’s art collection goes over the top. In Battle Creek there are more than 110 pieces of artwork displayed throughout the facility. They are predominantly works by American artists produced in the past 100 years. Featured are 20 pieces by Nebraska artist John Robert Weaver. Retired President Robert Duncan and his wife, Karen, have a personal collection of more than 2,000 pieces of art.

Julie Walker
Julie Summers Walker
AOPA Senior Features Editor
AOPA Senior Features Editor Julie Summers Walker joined AOPA in 1998. She is a student pilot still working toward her solo.
Go to Julie Summers Walker's Profile

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