LINCOLN, NEB. — Duncan Aviation, the largest family-owned aircraft support facility in North America, is celebrating its 50th anniversary this month.
It was on Dec. 5, 1963, that Donald Duncan incorporated Duncan Beechcraft-Lincoln.
From a family farm, selling surplus government airplanes and a car dealership in Clarinda, Iowa, to a Beechcraft distributer in Omaha, Neb., Donald saw prospects everywhere. He started the roots of Duncan Aviation in Omaha in 1956. And when he decided to open a second facility in Lincoln in 1963, he chose the location because he saw opportunity within the community.
When Donald’s son, Robert Duncan, joined the company two years later, change happened even more rapidly. As the only charter pilot, Robert still managed to find time to supervise its 15 employees, pump gas and even sweep up when necessary. As the business grew, adding services, capabilities, selling aircraft parts, opening satellite locations, Robert also added hundreds of new employees to take on these endeavors.
Many of the employees have worked at Duncan Aviation for decades. The company celebrates each employee’s anniversary and has a special group of team members who have dedicated 25 or more years to the company. More than 100 belong to this Silver Wings Club.
“Experience is vital in this business, so we want our employees to like what we offer and how we do business; we want them to make careers at Duncan Aviation,” says Robert.
Duncan Aviation now operates under the direction of its third Duncan family member, Chairman Todd Duncan.
“My grandfather would be proud of the fact that Duncan Aviation is not based on one individual’s efforts, but on a dedicated team of aviation enthusiasts,” says Todd.
The Lincoln facility’s façade is changing again as the company constructs 175,000 square feet of hangar and office space to house larger aircraft alongside its collection of buildings and hangars that line the Lincoln Airport.
Duncan Aviation’s list of capabilities includes airframe, engine maintenance, interior, paint, avionics systems installation, modification, repair, overhaul, accessory repair and overhaul, parts and components, aircraft acquisition and consignment, fuel and pilot services, government programs and support services.
Complete service facilities are located in Lincoln, Neb., and Battle Creek, Mich. Additional locations include Provo, Utah, and 27 other facilities located throughout the United States.
For more information: DuncanAviation.aero