The Duncan Intelligence is a free, technical newsletter for business aircraft owners and operators. Written in-house by Duncan Aviation's technical representatives, each edition includes technical tips and advice on topics and trends in business aviation. It is a free, monthly e-mail subscription for aviation enthusiasts around the world.
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A stunning new paint job can transform an aircraft, but a non-compliant registration number will quickly ground it. Under 14 CFR Part 45, the FAA enforces strict geometric rules for your tail number. Before you finalize your custom livery, make sure your design meets these non-negotiable dimensions.
Tracing an intermittent component failure on a static test bench is a frustrating guessing game. Fortunately, you are already carrying the solution. Documenting a live squawk with your smartphone camera provides technicians with unmistakable visual evidence, eliminating vague diagnostic loops and ensuring the problem gets fixed right the first time.
Is radar spoking cluttering your cockpit display? Whether it's caused by high-altitude arcing, external interference, or a recent maintenance, tracking down the source can be tricky. Keep reading to learn the common causes of radar anomalies and the essential troubleshooting questions to help you isolate the issue fast.
Tight maintenance schedules shouldn't ground your avionics upgrades. While MROs prioritize large, multi-shop jobs, Duncan Aviation’s Satellite shops offer a flexible alternative. Read how our teams can efficiently handle everything from connectivity installations to critical flight deck upgrades without the long wait times.
When buying or selling a business aircraft, there’s a big difference between how a model looks on a spreadsheet and how it performs in everyday operations. Keep reading to explore how real-world data from Duncan Aviation’s own active Flight Department bridges this gap, giving our Sales & Acquisitions team unique, practical insights that help clients minimize risk, clarify the realities of ownership, and find the perfect mission fit.
Sulfation of the plates and damaged terminal studs are common warranty claims that can be prevented or lessened by following simple operational and maintenance procedures.
Troubleshooting an autopilot altitude hold INOP squawk involves a complicated decision tree that includes several steps and scenarios. Here are three questions to get started.
Maintaining the integrity of your weather radar antenna is vital for accurate hazard detection and flight safety. From inspecting physical warpage to ensuring correct system strapping, precise maintenance prevents the false returns and signal smearing that can compromise a pilot’s view of the sky.
When valuing an aircraft, you either have complete, consecutive, and original logs or you do not. During a pre-purchase evaluation, the logbook plays a major role, and vague or incomplete statements can be troublesome and delay closing.
A fresh coat of paint is more than just a cosmetic upgrade—it’s a regulatory event that varies significantly by jurisdiction. While the FAA views painting as routine maintenance, authorities like EASA classify it as a design change requiring formal approval. Learn how understanding these regional nuances can help you avoid costly administrative delays and keep your aircraft compliant across international borders.
As business aviation fleets modernize, many aircraft are still carrying the literal weight of the past. Removing obsolete avionics and legacy antennas can reduce maintenance burdens, improve performance, and boost resale value. This article explores why streamlining your aircraft’s configuration is a strategic investment in long-term operational efficiency.
Customers often assume failures can’t happen when they aren’t flying but talk to any of Duncan Aviation’s Satellite Shops, and we’ll confirm it’s a very common occurrence.
What can ground an aircraft faster than a failed component? Documentation. When you think about what keeps your aircraft airworthy, you usually think of tangible systems such as engines, avionics, landing gear, and flight controls. Rarely does paperwork top the list. It should.
As 2025 comes to an end, ACS Rep Rene Cardona reflects on what shaped this year’s preowned business jet market. The fourth quarter is always busy, but this year brought a unique level of intensity, driven by economic uncertainty early on and a surge of confident buyers later. Here’s his perspective on what we experienced in 2025—and what to expect as we head into 2026.
Don't get grounded by confusing nose wheel vibrations! A true nose gear shimmy—that rapid, side-to-side oscillation—is a serious issue often linked to play in the torque links, requiring immediate mechanical attention. In contrast, a simple vertical shudder felt during taxi or initial climb is often just an easily corrected wheel imbalance. This quick guide details the key differences and the essential steps to accurately troubleshoot the condition, starting with a simple inspection of the nose gear scissors.