A Two Bear Management Falcon 900EX recently took off from Duncan Aviation sporting a pair of blended winglets from Aviation Partners, Inc. (API). This is the 100th such installation from Duncan Aviation. Improved fuel efficiency and a smoother ride are a couple of the reasons that Two Bear chose the winglets. “The upgrade increases the aircraft's value, giving it a more modern look,” says Mark Nugent, director of maintenance at Two Bear Management, a private operator based in Montana.

In 2008, Duncan Aviation partnered with API and the OEM to install the API blended winglets on a Falcon 2000EX for an STC certification flight test. API subsequently announced Duncan's Battle Creek, Michigan, and Lincoln MROs as the first authorised installers for Falcon blended winglets in 2009. Between the two locations, there are nine airframe maintenance teams with more than 10 years of experience completing this in-demand modification on all series of the Falcon 50, 900 and 2000 aircraft.

The Falcon 900EX was in for a 2C inspection, installation of the Gogo Avance L5 connectivity system, new cabin and cockpit USB ports, complete exterior paint, partial interior refurbishment and landing gear overhaul. The extensive project made it a suitable time to include winglet installation.

“It's one-stop shopping with a competitive quote at Duncan Aviation,” Nugent continues. “We get everything done with one visit. And because this is the 100th pair of winglets it has installed, we know the job was done right.”

Having visited other service centres as a customer, Nugent added that Duncan Aviation does things better. “Its quality and value are very competitive,” he concludes.

The 101st Duncan Aviation Falcon winglet installation comes in May 2021. In addition to the Falcon 50, 900 and 2000 aircraft families, Duncan Aviation is also an API authorised installation partner for winglet modifications on Hawker 800 series aircraft.

“It was a 100 per cent partnership,” says Dale Hawkins, Duncan Aviation's Falcon airframe service sales representative located in Battle Creek. “Duncan Aviation and Aviation Partners have a great working relationship. We appreciate its continued support and confidence in the quality of our installations. It is confidence shared by our mutual customers.”

API president Gary Dunn adds: “In the mid-1990s, we completed several Gulfstream II winglet installations at Duncan Aviation, followed by dozens of Hawker 800 series aircraft. With 100 Falcon winglets now complete, Duncan is both our longest-standing and by far our most prolific, authorised installation partner. Congratulations to the entire Duncan team on this milestone achievement; we look forward to installing many more winglets together in the future.”