Posted by Diane Heiserman on Thu, Sep 13, 2012 @ 06:00 AM
Contributed by Nate Klenke, Completions Sales Rep.
On June 29th, a Gulfstream GV received a fresh coat of paint as Duncan Aviation celebrated the opening of our new, $11.5 million, 45,000 sq. ft. aircraft paint facility in Lincoln, Neb. (LNK). A small fleet of cameras mounted in the paint bays captured the GV’s transformation, highlighting the size of the aircraft paint facility and the number of technicians involved during the paint process.
We see the fleet of business aviation aircraft getting larger, which is why we built the state of the art paint hangar at our Lincoln, Nebraska, facility. It allows us to work on the largest business jets in operation. The process we use to protect the aircraft during stripping and the detail work that gets done after the paint is applied helps us achieve the high level of quality on all of the airframes we work on, including Gulfstream.
Most people don’t think of Duncan Aviation as having Gulfstream capabilities. In fact, Gulfstreams have been a part of our service capabilities since they became a major part of business aviation over 25 years ago. This GV was the first ultra-long-range business jet painted in our Lincoln, Nebraska, facility, and the timing just happened to work out with the open house for the new paint facility. The owner of the GV is a long-time customer of Duncan Aviation, and has relied on us to provide maintenance and refurbishment on their aircraft for years. They know the quality of our work and dedication to customer services. When they purchased their GV, they knew nothing would change.
In this video, you can see the attention to detail and how many people it takes to navigate a large business jet though the paint process. Beyond the hours of planning and designing of the paint design, there is a lot that happens to ensure a high-quality completion. The attention to detail given from the initial protection of the aircraft prior to stripping off the old paint, to physically detailing every inch of the aircraft, in conjunction with a state of the art facility with the proper lighting, airflow and a climate-controlled paint booth make it clear why Duncan Aviation is the industry choice for business jet paint refurbishment.
Duncan Aviation offers a three-year warranty on paint services, and has complete paint facilities in Lincoln, Nebraska, and Battle Creek, Michigan, both of which offer full design services with 3D rendering capabilities.
For more information on the capabilities of our new paint hangar or our paint process, please contact me.
Nate Klenke serves as a Completions Sales Rep. for Duncan Aviation’s Lincoln, Neb. (LNK) full-service facility, specializing in Gulfstreams, Citations, Hawkers, Astras and Westwinds. He began his career in aviation in 1995.
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Posted by Diane Heiserman on Thu, Mar 22, 2012 @ 07:00 AM
Contributed by Doug Donahue, Airframe Service Sales Rep
Gulfstream will not release heater tapes to operators that are not enrolled in their Managed Program.
Gulfstream has implemented a Managed Program to complete GIV water line ribbon heater upgrades for Gulfstream IV owners who have not yet complied with the ASC. It has come to our attention during a recent G400 visit that some Gulfstream operators may not be aware of the program requirement. Please be aware that Gulfstream will not release heater tapes to operators who are not enrolled in this program. The upgrade requires compliance by Sept 2012.
In early 2011, achieving this upgrade presented a challenge. Ribbon heater parts simply weren’t available to achieve the required upgrade and sparse scheduling opportunities made it difficult for operators to save downtime by combining it with scheduled maintenance events. With the deadline pushed back through the end of September 2012, operators are more able to choose their downtimes of choice and even reduce costs… if they schedule soon.
Duncan Aviation has completed 26 water line ribbon heater upgrades for GIV and GV aircraft and our full-service facilities offer complete interior modification capabilities. To schedule a ribbon heater upgrade, please contact a member of the Gulfstream Airframe Service Sales Team.
Doug Donahue serves as an Airframe Service Sales Rep. at Duncan Aviation’s Battle Creek, Mich. (MI) facility, specializing in Gulfstream, Embraer, Astra and Westwind airframes. He began working in aviation in 1993.
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Posted by Diane Heiserman on Wed, Oct 26, 2011 @ 03:59 PM
Contributed by Doug Donahue, Airframe Service Sales Rep.
This picture shows the overheating condition of the heater ribbon on a water line located behind the aft galley on a late model Gulfstream GIV. Note the sooting on the wire bundle above the overheat area.
Earlier this year, achieving the GIV water line ribbon heater upgrades mandated in Aircraft Service Change (ASC) 469 presented a challenge. Ribbon heater parts simply weren’t available to achieve the required upgrade and sparse scheduling opportunities made it difficult for operators to save downtime by combining it with scheduled maintenance events.
With the deadline pushed back through the end of 2012, operators are more able to choose their downtimes of choice and even reduce costs… if they schedule by next summer.
Firm-Fixed Pricing
I strongly recommend that operators seek firm-fixed labor pricing for ribbon heater upgrade quotes, as service centers can never be entirely sure how many ribbon heaters need to be replaced. A GIV or V could have four to 22 heaters installed on an aircraft, but even with blueprints no one will know for certain until the interior is removed, especially on older GIVs.
A firm-fixed price will help avoid additional labor charges if there are more ribbon heaters onboard than expected. Parts costs normally aren’t offered at a firm-fixed price for the same reason.
Scheduling Outlook
Even though the extension for the water line ribbon heater upgrade has relaxed the current service schedule, we could face a similar bottleneck next year if the estimated remaining 30% aren’t scheduled by the end of next summer.
Downtime Savings
Ideally, ribbon heater upgrades are scheduled with a 96 month inspection, which saves about 200 to 300 hours of downtime for the removal and reinstallation of the interior galley(s), cabin and lavatory. Other events that save downtime include phone systems, in-flight Wi-Fi and interior modifications, all of which involve interior removals.
Duncan Aviation has completed 18 water line ribbon heater upgrades for GIV and GV aircraft over the past year, and our full-service facilities offer complete interior modification capabilities. To schedule a ribbon heater upgrade, please contact a member of the Gulfstream Airframe Service Sales Team.
Doug Donahue serves as an Airframe Service Sales Rep. at Duncan Aviation’s Battle Creek, Mich. (MI) facility, specializing in Gulfstream, Embraer, Astra and Westwind airframes. He began working in aviation in 1993.
For more updates from Duncan Aviation, please follow us on Twitter and become a fan on Facebook.
Posted by Diane Heiserman on Thu, Apr 28, 2011 @ 04:00 PM
Contributed by Doug Donahue, Airframe Service Sales Rep
The demand for parts is already high with longer lead times. Demand is expected to rise significantly throughout this spring and summer.
In the next 4 months, over 100 GIV and GV aircraft must undergo the mandated Water Line Ribbon Heater Upgrade. We are finding that some operators may think that this Aircraft Service Change (ASC) does not apply to their Gulfstream, but remember this rule of thumb: if your Gulfstream has a sink or galley ice box of any kind, you need to comply with this ASC. This is going to be a challenge for Gulfstream operators who have waited until now to comply.
About ASC 469
- GIV serial numbers 1000-1499 must complete CB194A or ASC 469 Water Line Ribbon Heater Upgrade by September 4, 2011. By completing ASC 469 instead of just CB194A, the aircraft will not be subject to Chapter 5 recurring inspection requirements and will eliminate the reoccurring cost with unnecessary access and inspections.
- GV serial numbers 501-619 must also complete the Water Line Ribbon Heater Assembly Inspection at the next 48 month inspection or comply with ASC 173 Water Line Ribbon Heater Upgrade as the termination action.
- The new ribbon heaters provide better safety, reliability and efficiency. They are more durable and resist freezing during long, high altitude flights.
Parts Availability Issues
As we move closer to the deadline, demand is higher and parts are not as readily available as they were just a few months ago. This demand along with longer lead times for parts will increase significantly throughout this spring and summer.
Since each modification is unique to the configuration of the aircraft, the parts cannot be pre-ordered. The best way to minimize parts availability issues is to plan early and combine the ASC with a maintenance event. If you wait until August or September, it would be best to plan for a longer downtime.
Downtime Considerations
The Water Line Ribbon Heater Upgrade is best done in conjunction with an inspection that provides easy access to the water lines, such as a 24-month, 72-month or 96-month. However, if an operator did not comply with the ASC during the most recent inspection, the upgrade will have to be performed independently of an inspection and will likely cost more in additional labor for interior removal.
We have worked with dozens of Gulfstream operators on this upgrade and the experience of the Duncan Aviation Gulfstream team makes them one of the most efficient options available.
For more information, contact a Duncan Aviation Gulfstream Airframe Service Sales Rep.
Doug Donahue is an Airframe Service Sales Rep. specializing in the Gulfstream airframe. His aviation career began in 1993.
For more updates from Duncan Aviation, please follow us on Twitter and become a fan on Facebook.
Posted by Diane Heiserman on Thu, Dec 09, 2010 @ 09:00 AM
Contributed by Doug Donahue, Airframe Service Sales Rep
CB194A and ASC 469 both address issues with existing Gulfstream water line ribbon heaters, and scheduling is expected to tighten as the deadline for compliance nears.
In the next 10 months, the mandated Gulfstream Water Line Ribbon Heater Upgrade is going to become a challenge for the more than 200 GIV and GV aircraft still needing this critical action.
Our techs have found more than one scorched ribbon heater in the dozens of upgrades they've already performed. The new ribbon heaters are safer, more reliable, efficient and durable, and are capable of resisting freezing during long, high altitude flights.
I expect that last minute scheduling could result in a lack of availability and premium prices for last-minute service. To avoid the rush, there are fours things operators should consider if they still need this upgrade.
1. Know your options.
GIV serial numbers 1000-1499 must complete Customer Bulletin (CB)194A or Aircraft Service Change (ASC) 469 Water Line Ribbon Heater Upgrade by September 4, 2011. CB 194A mandates a recurring water line ribbon heater inspection, while ASC 469 is the terminating action and involves the replacement of all existing installations in the aircraft with upgraded heaters.
With the terminating action, the aircraft will not be subject to the Chapter 5 recurring inspection requirements and costs required by CB194A, and is the course of action I recommend.
GV serial numbers 501-619 must also complete the Water Line Ribbon Heater Assembly Inspection at the next 48 month inspection or comply with ASC 173 Water Line Ribbon Heater Upgrade as the terminating action.
2. Find an expert team.
This upgrade requires multiple weeks of downtime to complete, depending on the location of the water lines and configuration of the cabin. A service center that has 10 or more under their belt will be more efficient, saving you time and money. Expect a fixed cost for the labor hours to remove and reinstall the interior in addition to a fixed cost to install the heater tape. The only variable cost should be the cost for the heater tape itself.
3. Schedule now.
The best schedule, downtime and price will be available to those who act early. By waiting, you risk not being able to comply by the September deadline and paying a premium for last-minute service.
4. Be smart about downtime.
Do the ASC in conjunction with other work that requires interior removal to maximize your downtime, such as interior woodwork and refinishing, a new phone system, Wi-Fi and high-speed data.
The Water Line Ribbon Heater Upgrade is best done in conjunction with a Gulfstream inspection that provides easy access to the water lines, such as a 24 month, 72 month or 96 month inspection. However, if an operator did not comply with the ASC during the most recent inspection, the upgrade will have to be performed independently and will likely cost more in additional labor for interior removal.
Want to know more? I've worked with dozens of Gulfstream operators on CB 194A, ASC 469 and ASC 173. The experience of Duncan Aviation's Gulfstream team makes us one of the most efficient options available for the Water Line Ribbon Heater Upgrade.
For more updates from Duncan Aviation, please follow us on Twitter and become a fan on Facebook.