Eight Duncan Aviation technicians have completed hands-on training on the Pratt & Whitney PW500 series engine, part of the company’s Designated Overhaul Facility (DOF) authorisation. The four-week course was led by two Pratt & Whitney instructors and took place as Duncan prepares to open its Lincoln, Nebraska DOF in early 2026.

The training involved disassembling and reassembling a PW545A engine and covered tooling, turbine balance, part cleaning, inspection and repairs. Technicians from Lincoln and Battle Creek joined with rapid response team members.

“It is always nice to put what we know through the maintenance manual into practice,” says Duncan engine team leader Brian Harms. “Performing the training hands-on is a great way to learn.” He says the shared training boosted team confidence and improved communication.

Duncan engineer Alec Pusateri also joined the training, helping interpret technical data. Harms adds: “He can consume massive amounts of detailed information and present it in a way that is easier to understand and more useful.”

Following the training, the team began its first official PW500 overhaul, currently in progress. The engine will be tested at Pratt & Whitney before being added to Duncan’s rental pool.

Harms says the PW500 is “well built” and “reliable”, and customers are pleased their engines can now be overhauled in-house at Duncan rather than being shipped out.

The new DOF, under construction in Lincoln, will support both PW300 and PW500 series engines. “Our new DOF facility will play a crucial role in strengthening our engine overhaul services,” says Scott Stoki, manager of engine services at Pratt & Whitney.