With a legacy in aircraft sales that began with Donald Duncan in 1956 and our evolution to the world-class business aviation sales and service company Duncan Aviation is today, it is important that we continue to blaze the trail and set the standard. Hundreds of Duncan Aviation team members serve on industry and charitable boards, leading the way, forging relationships, and giving back to the communities we live and work in. Their board contributions are equally important in building relationships and trust, as giving back is a core value at Duncan Aviation.
Beyond resources for continuous education, standard-setting, and developing a robust network of experts across our field, participating in both industry and non-industry organizations gives us the opportunity to share insights and demonstrate leadership and expertise in the market as transaction specialists. We regularly participate in panel discussions, speak at conferences, and offer our perspective on articles about the business jet market.
In the past 12 months, members of our Aircraft Sales & Acquisitions team have participated in several ultra-high-net-worth-individual events across the world, multiple state and national business aviation organizations, numerous industry boards, and various industry panels.
Ann Pollard, Aircraft Sales & Acquisitions, says that state and national business aviation organizations work hard to protect and promote the industry, address legislative challenges, promote workforce development, safety and regulatory initiatives, and educate the public about the benefits of general aviation.
“Giving back, whether to industry or society, is a guiding principle for thousands of Duncan Aviation’s team members,” Ann says. “Doing the right thing leads to foundational relationships that last, and many aircraft sales relationships result from organic interactions with like-minded individuals and businesses. These organizations help build trust long before a business transaction is contemplated.”
At the end of the day, our primary objective is to ensure that our clients have the best experience possible throughout their transaction and aircraft ownership. We make recommendations based on who we believe would be the best fit and who we trust would provide the highest standards of service to our clients. In order to provide this added benefit, it is necessary to have a deep and wide professional network. Industry events, boards, and panels give our team an opportunity to expand their network and create long-lasting relationships across all industries that are mutually beneficial for our team members and our clients.
When working through a transaction, you never know what may pop up. It’s great to have knowledgeable resources on call to assist with any issues that may arise, no matter how complex.
“Sometimes, we face obstacles during the purchase or sale of an aircraft and knowing specialists who can assist getting a deal over the line is invaluable,” says Tim Barber, EMEA Aircraft Sales & Acquisitions. “Whether it’s searching for a hard-to-find part to complete a pre-purchase evaluation, finding an aircraft in short supply for a buyer, or assisting with the appointment of an aviation lawyer or tax advisor, we’re expected to have the answers.”
Duncan Aviation is a founding member of IADA (the International Aircraft Dealer’s Association) and is an IADA Certified Dealer with four IADA-certified brokers. IADA is dedicated to the highest level of ethics, experience, standards, and trust, all cornerstones that also define Duncan Aviation’s core values.
Working with one of Duncan Aviation’s IADA Accredited Aircraft Brokers provides assurance to all parties in a transaction that we will bring a high level of professionalism and experience to the table, increasing the likelihood of a smooth transaction. It also provides our brokers the educational opportunities to ensure we remain well-informed on any topic related to business aircraft and their transactions.
Leah Alexander, EMEA Aircraft Sales & Acquisitions, adds, “Through years of camaraderie and experience, I have fostered an incredibly strong network across many types of companies and roles. I know that if I have a question or need additional information, I can truly phone a friend to find the answer.”
There’s something to be said for the speed of trust. With so many players involved in any given transaction–financiers, asset managers, aviation managers, tax advisors, lawyers, operators, an MRO, as well as a broker representing the other party–having relationships based on years of trust and mutual respect allows the transaction to move forward with the understanding that everyone is at the table to ensure the best outcome possible. When approaching a transaction with wholly unknown parties, the negotiations could last longer and could potentially be costlier, as trust is undeveloped.
Duncan Aviation’s established network of experts can help represent a buyer’s or seller’s interests and mitigate risks. When coming to the table with a Duncan Aviation Aircraft Sales & Acquisitions Rep, you come to the table backed by their professional network.