Duncan Aviation Technicians Begin New Powerplant Apprenticeship Program

Through on-the-job experience, classroom training, hands-on lab work, and supplemental course materials, Duncan Aviation Engine Apprentices receive work experience and knowledge necessary to earn certification. Click image for high-res download.

LINCOLN, NEB —Duncan Aviation is pleased to announce that the US Department of Labor has endorsed its new Powerplant Apprenticeship program, and eight full-time technicians will begin their 24-month apprenticeships this month. In spite of everything 2020 has thrown at the business aviation industry, Duncan Aviation continues to take a proactive approach to finding ways to resolve the critical shortage of skilled technicians that’s expected in the industry in the next few years.

Leading through action and innovation and focusing on solutions are two of Duncan Aviation’s core values, and the company lives its values, even during a global pandemic. In 2019, the US Department of Labor endorsed Duncan Aviation’s Airframe Apprenticeship program, and the first cohort will be finished with course work in September.

“When we discussed ways to alleviate the shortage of trained and skilled technicians expected industry-wide, we liked the idea of Airframe and Engine Apprenticeship programs because we could offer this career path to our team members, and the A&P certificates they earn are recognized throughout the industry,” said Duncan Aviation’s VP of Aircraft Services Kasey Harwick.

Delivering high-quality products and services is another of the company’s core values. By offering an apprenticeship program to full-time Duncan Aviation team members, who will be prepared over the next 24 months to take their written, oral and practical examinations for their Airframe & Powerplant (A&P) certificates, the company is continuing to ensure that its technicians are fully prepared to provide the highest-quality services in the industry to Duncan Aviation’s customers.

“Through a combination of on-the-job experience (OJE), classroom training, hands-on lab work, and supplemental course materials, the Engine apprentices will get the work experience and knowledge necessary to become the kinds of skilled technicians Duncan Aviation Engine teams want to employ,” said Assistant Manager of the Engine Line in Lincoln, Bradley Wales. “Once the techs have completed their apprenticeship, they will have the confidence, technical abilities, and troubleshooting skills to find their lasting careers at Duncan Aviation.”

Apprentices will spend numerous hours in classrooms and hands-on labs, and they’ll be responsible for learning the following:

• Reciprocating Engines/Applied Reciprocating Engines
• Turbine Engines/Applied Turbine Engines
• Powerplant Ignition Systems/Powerplant Electrical Systems/Fire Protection Systems
• Aircraft Propeller Systems/Applied Propeller Systems
• Induction & Fuel Metering/Applied Induction & Fuel Metering
• Lubrication, Cooling & Exhaust/Applied Lubrication, Cooling & Exhaust
• ESD (Electric Static Discharge) Awareness & Prevention Training
• Aviation Human Factors

Duncan Aviation’s first cohort for the Powerplant Apprenticeship program was drawn from the Engine Shops and Engine Overhaul area of the business. In the future, the program will be open to team members throughout the company. As with the Airframe Apprenticeship program, the techs chosen for the program don’t necessarily have to have any experience; the program will provide all of the training, classroom work, and job experience necessary to earn an A&P license. However, the technicians do need some mechanical aptitude, and they must be highly motivated because the demands of the Apprenticeship programs are rigorous: Apprentices will be working full-time, carrying a full course load, and studying on their own.

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