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.
Subscribe now to receive the Duncan Intelligence in your inbox.
Unscheduled avionics squawks are an operational nightmare, often grounding your aircraft at the worst possible moment. The challenge isn't just the repair—it's the downtime spent guessing if the fault lies in the unit or the airframe. Duncan Aviation’s Loaner Program solves this by providing immediate cross-diagnostic units, letting you verify the fix and return to service while your original hardware is on our bench.
For companies purchasing a business aircraft for the first time, the process often reveals a steep learning curve. While selecting an airplane can feel like the primary decision, acquisition specialists say the more critical factor is how well buyers understand the transaction before they ever make an offer.
Accurate airborne weather radar is a critical component of flight safety and operational efficiency. Convective activity, turbulence, hail, lightning, and windshear pose ongoing operational challenges, often resulting in delays, reroutes, structural damage, and increased maintenance costs. Advances in predictive radar technology are intended to improve detection accuracy, reduce crew workload, and enhance situational awareness in these environments.
Business aircraft operators with older audio systems often face challenges maintaining reliable communication and audio quality in the cockpit and cabin. For aircraft equipped with legacy Baker 1045 audio panels, the PS Engineering PAC37 offers a modern, plug-and-play replacement with enhanced flexibility and features.
There should never be a time during installation, testing, or adjustment when the potentiometer rods on the actuator are adjusted.
November 3, 2012, is the date that operators are required to be in compliance of AD 2010-07-02. It addresses possible erroneous glide slope or localizer display indications.
Now, through a Securaplane STC, Citation 500, 550 and 560 operators are able to enjoy the benefits of the thin plate, pure lead (TPPL) technology that improves discharge and recharge capacity.
Bombardier has issued a recommended SB 45-56-3 that calls for the inspection of the windshield coupe rails on all Learjet 45 models.
It was determined that the epoxy ramp installed to prevent water accumulation could deteriorate with time. A dry ice blasting machine removes the epoxy ramp efficiently without collateral damage.
TCAS 7.1 is being offered as an upgrade by all of the major TCAS manufacturers and makes two important safety enhancements.
SB 72-0175 changes the compliance date from January 1, 2013, to the next shop visit.
In an FAA Reduced Vertical Separation Minimum (RVSM) Notam dated March 9, 2011, operators of aircraft authorized to use RVSM airspace must conduct monitoring every two years or within 1,000 flight hours per aircraft, whichever period is longer.
Dassault requires that after discharge of a fire bottle, whether by accident or intention, the rubber silicone nipple must be replaced.
In my experience as an Avionics Tech Rep, unless I am talking to the person who witnessed the squawk, I go under the assumption that there is always more to the story than what I am told.
Duncan Aviation strongly recommends complying with Service Bulletin 196 or 024 to prevent the potential of severe corrosion of the Group 2 Fuel Tank.