Duncan Aviation Denver Satellite Performing Connectivity Upgrades With Only 10 Weeks Until ADS-B Mandate Deadline

LINCOLN, NEB — In spite of the fact that the FAA’s deadline to upgrade to Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) is a mere 10 weeks away, Manager of Duncan Aviation’s Satellite Avionics Shop in Denver, Colorado, Wayne Sand is busy upgrading connectivity systems. In the final quarter of the year, Sand and his techs have upgraded only four aircraft for ADS-B compliance and will complete only three more the rest of the year, and their schedule is booked through January 2020.

“We’ve installed dozens of ADS-B systems over the last few years,” said Sand. “Now, though, most of our customers have upgraded already and are turning their attention to other avionics. We’re getting a lot of requests for quotes for faster wi-fi connection speeds.”

Over this past year, Sand and his crew have installed a couple of Gogo AVANCE L5 wi-fi systems and several Gogo AVANCE L3 wi-fi systems along with many ADS-B systems.

“Another job we have scheduled to input toward the end of November is for a customer who is upgrading to the Honeywell JetWave,” says Sand. “He wants the faster connection speeds he’ll get with the JetWave, and he also wants the worldwide satellite-based coverage the system provides because he flies to Europe fairly often.”

Because the customer’s Falcon 7X frequently flies to Europe, it is already Future Air Navigation System- (FANS-) compliant. Duncan Aviation’s Engineering & Certification Services Department has provided a certification path to keep the FANS components working even though the Honeywell JetWave is not yet certified for FANS.

Although the Denver Satellite Avionics Shop isn’t installing ADS-B, they have fixed ADS-B systems on at least seven aircraft that had Non-Performing Emitters (NPEs) due to configurations problems, wiring issues, or improperly terminated coax cables.

“Unfortunately, a lot of owner/operators tried to upgrade to ADS-B as cheaply as possible,” says Sand. “Many of those discount shops that did the initial work didn’t install the systems properly, so the ADS-B doesn’t work now.”

In fact, one ADS-B system the Duncan Aviation crew in Denver fixed had been missing critical wires, so it couldn’t possibly have been working even when it left the other shop.

“It’s always tempting to go with the lowest bid,” says Sand. “But now they’re paying more to get the system fixed and in compliance with the FAA’s mandate than they would have if they’d just brought their aircraft to one of the Duncan Aviation Satellite shops to begin with.”

Whether you’re looking for connectivity options or seeking available space at any of Duncan Aviation’s other 26 Satellite Avionics Shops and workaway stations for an ADS-B upgrade, please contact:

• Regional Avionics Sales Manager John Spellmeyer (+1 316.214.8867 or email John.Spellmeyer@DuncanAviation.com) in the Western United States
• Regional Avionics Sales Manager Michael Kussatz (+1 531.207.3951 or email Michael.Kussatz@DuncanAviation.com) in the Eastern United States

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://www.DuncanAviation.aero/services