Duncan Aviation has delivered its first complete CL-3500 paint job from its full-service MRO facility in Lincoln, Nebraska.
Duncan Aviation project manager Doyle Garrett explained that all the aircraft in the customer’s fleet had the same paint scheme, so once they took delivery of their new CL-3500, they brought it straight to Duncan Aviation in Lincoln, which had provided paint services to them on the other aircraft in their fleet.
“We had all the details from their previous schemes, so it made for a rather smooth experience,” said Garrett. “Our team was excited to work on this new airframe, and it made it even more rewarding for us that it was for a long-time Duncan Aviation customer.”
A long-time customer
The director of maintenance (DOM) for this project has been bringing aircraft to Duncan Aviation since 1996. “When I brought the first aircraft, a LR-55, to Duncan Aviation’s facility in Lincoln for a 12-year inspection, there was freshly poured concrete in the lobby,” the DOM said. “All of the other hangars and buildings were not there yet. I’ve enjoyed watching the company grow and expand over the years.”
The DOM explained that the reason he’s continued to bring aircraft to Duncan Aviation over the years is because the two companies share very similar values. “As far as family-owned businesses, the two are very similar,” he said. “You don’t just work on airplanes, you take care of the family as well. That’s what kept me coming back.”
He shared more about his on-site experience: “I always felt included and a part of the family,” he said. “To this day when I walk the halls, people still recognise me and stop for a conversation. That makes me feel like they care about me, not just about the money the company is putting into the project. I will say, some of them have more grey hair since I first met them in 1996, but nonetheless I still enjoy seeing the same friendly faces every time I’m in Lincoln.”
He continued to explain the importance of the relationship between the two companies: “I’ve always said when you build a relationship, you build a bridge. And, when you build bridges, you can go places.”
Ever since 1996, Garrett and the DOM have clicked. “It starts with developing a trust that is developed by saying what you are going to do, and then doing what you said you were going to do,” Garrett said. “I believe it’s building teamwork between Duncan Aviation and the customer to benefit both and deliver a superior product.”
Garrett said that working with the DOM throughout the project was great, from the pre-planning to the delivery: “The high point of all this is the engagement of the team, and the can-do attitude that builds and facilitates the trust.”
The DOM agreed that his relationship with Garrett was special: “Doyle was the first project manager we had, and ever since then, we clicked. We both knew when we could put on our business hats and get stuff done, and when we could put on the lets-be-friends hat and have a good time. He was never out to get anything from me, nor I from him. It’s something special when you have someone like that.”
Learning from past experiences
All the aircraft in the customer’s fleet have the same paint scheme. Back in 2017, Duncan Aviation’s Paint department in Lincoln painted a CL-300 for this customer, and although there are a few differences between the CL-300 and CL-3500, the team was able to take the same layout and stencils and apply it to this aircraft.
The DOM said that designer Mary Lee, paint master specialist Stacy Finch, and paint team leaders Brandon Boyer and Brian Woolsey were great to work with. “They didn’t just look at this project like, ‘Oh, it’s just another aircraft to paint, let’s do it the same way’, but looked for ways to improve it,” he said. “They discussed everything so no detail was overlooked, and were able to learn from previous experiences. They found a way to make it even better.”
27 years and counting
The customer has been bringing a variety of aircraft to Duncan Aviation since 1996. Ranging from CL-300s to LR-55s, and JetStars, Duncan Aviation has done full paint on four different aircraft; partial paint on one; and maintenance on seven different aircraft for the company. They have experience with Duncan Aviation’s Engine, Interior, Paint and Avionics departments.
The DOM said that every shop at Duncan Aviation has somehow worked on one of their aircraft at some point throughout the years. “I always know I’m going to get a quality product from Duncan Aviation,” he said. “I know you care for your team members, and you care for us. That’s why I keep coming back.”
