Duncan Aviation Las Vegas Satellite sees upturn in avionics upgrade requests

Lincoln, NEB — Although there are only 13 weeks remaining until the FAA’s January 1, 2020, Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) mandate goes into effect, Duncan Aviation’s Jack Robbins, manager of the company’s Satellite Avionics Shop in Las Vegas, Nevada, has noticed most of his customers are focusing on upgrades to other avionics systems. Most of the shop’s local customers are already in compliance with the ADS-B mandate, he says.

Specifically, Robbins has prepared several quotes for the Gogo AVANCE L5 Wi-Fi system, with schedule inputs during the fourth quarter.

“We have another customer with a Falcon fleet, who will be upgrading his aircraft to Traffic Collision Avoidance System (TCAS) 7.1 so he can fly to Mexico and the Caribbean,” says Robbins. “We also have a Falcon 2000 inputting in November for an upgrade to the Cabin Management System (CMS), LCD, and Blu-Ray player.”

Robbins is aware of the numbers of aircraft that are not yet in compliance with the ADS-B mandate, and he says his shop has already performed numerous upgrades.

“There are solutions available for most aircraft, and Duncan Aviation holds or has access to them,” says Robbins. “We have used a variety right here in our shop, and if customers are still wonderig about ADS-B, they should give us a call. We can find a solution for them, but time is getting a little short.”

At the Las Vegas Satellite Avionics Shop, the vast majority of the ADS-B upgrades have been the Collins Aerospace TDR-94D/GPS 4000S in the following models:

• Beechcraft Premier 390
• Hawker 800
• Learjet 60
• Beechcraft Beechjet
• Challenger 601
• Gulfstream G200
• Bombardier 850 RJ

The shop has also brought aircraft into compliance using the Bendix King solution, as well as the Garmin solution on several other airframes. And in addition to the many makes and models of airplanes the Las Vegas shop has upgraded, the experienced techs have also upgraded two Bell 412 Helicopters for ADS-B, using STCs developed by Peregrine.

Robbins says customers have also called the Las Vegas shop if they’re looking for hard-to-find parts, such as starter generators, batteries, and emergency power supplies. Robbins starts with Duncan Aviation’s Parts & Rotables team and then goes to the ILS and also searches through various major avionics vendors to find the best fit for his customers’ needs.

In addition, the Las Vegas shop is a dealer for several warranty plans, such as Collins Aerospace Corporate Aircraft Service Program (CASP) and Honeywell Maintenance Service Plan/Avionics (MSP). Robbins knows it’s a very competitive market and his shop supports Duncan Aviation’s customers 24/7 through troubleshooting, ordering, and installing.

“If you’re looking to get your aircraft into compliance before the January 1, 2020, ADS-B mandate deadline, give us a call. We can put together a plan for your aircraft,” says Manager of Satellite Operations Matt Nelson. “If your aircraft is down for an inspection, contact us to have one of our eminently qualified techs come to your hangar to perform the upgrade.”

If operators haven’t yet upgraded but don’t want to be flying low or sitting on the ground on January 1, 2020, they should take a moment to schedule hangar space and upgrade to ADS-B. Duncan Aviation’s technicians around the country have performed hundreds of upgrades.