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Martha Jercinovich

Due to obsolescence issues, advances in available equipment, and newer technology, there’s always a high demand for avionics installations. Limited scheduling capacity has made this more difficult industrywide. Duncan Aviation’s Satellites have avionics experts located around the United States to help meet industry needs.
“The avionics installation teams at Duncan Aviation work hard to accommodate customer needs,” says Matt Nelson, Manager of satellite Operations at Duncan Aviation. “As schedules tighten throughout the industry, Duncan Aviation’s satellite network can still offer near-term install work in many locations.”
The experienced technicians at Duncan Aviation Satellites perform hundreds of installations a year. Although they have the ability and expertise to install many more systems, here is a quick round-up of some of the systems that are in high demand and that they have extensive experience installing.
(Consult this map for the Duncan Aviation Satellite nearest you:&nbsp;<a href="https://duncanaviation.aero/locations/#satellites" target="_blank">https://duncanaviation.aero/locations/#satellites</a>).
<h2>GOGO BUSINESS AVIATION</h2>
AVANCE L5—Duncan Aviation Satellites have installed 516 AVANCE L5 systems, including one at its Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Satellite on a Falcon 7X with provisions for the Gogo 5G network when it’s available. The avionics technicians at the Duncan Aviation Satellite in Las Vegas, Nevada, recently installed the Gogo AVANCE L5 Wi-Fi system on a Global, too.
Duncan Aviation installed its first AVANCE L5 at the Duncan Aviation full-service MRO facility in Battle Creek, Michigan, in October 2017. This complete Wi-Fi system currently operates on the Gogo Biz 4G network, and with slight modifications will take advantage of the Gogo 5G network.
Designed for business aircraft, this system offers enhanced connectivity applications, meaning passengers will enjoy an improved online user experience while in flight. The AVANCE L5 lets passengers stream audio and video, connect to video conferences, send email with large attachments, use their personal smartphones to make calls, and send text messages with little latency. Pilots can access cockpit apps in real-time and perform remote diagnostics in-flight.
Duncan Aviation’s Engineering &amp; Certification Services department developed STCs to install the AVANCE L5 in the following aircraft, and all have secured TCCA (Transport Canada) approval in addition to FAA approval.
<ul>
<li>GLEX, GL XRS, GL6000</li>
<li>GL5000</li>
<li>CL-650, CL-605, CL-604,&nbsp;CL-601-3A, CL-601-3R</li>
<li>CL 300, 350</li>
<li>Gulfstream GIV, G300, G400</li>
<li>Gulfstream GIV-X, G350, G450</li>
<li>Gulfstream G200 &amp; Galaxy</li>
<li>Falcon 900</li>
<li>Falcon 900EX (EX, EASy, LX, DX)</li>
<li>Falcon 2000</li>
<li>Falcon 2000EX (EX, EASy, LX, DX, LXS, S)</li>
<li>Cessna Citation 680</li>
<li>Cessna Citation 750</li>
<li>Citation 560XL</li>
</ul>
AVANCE L3—The Gogo AVANCE L3 Wi-Fi system provides in-flight connectivity through the Gogo Biz LTE network, which will eventually replace Gogo’s ATG 1000 through 5000 systems, the AVANCE L3 is designed for aircraft of all types and sizes, but is ideal for light-to-medium-sized aircraft.
Network access is available starting at 3,000 feet as opposed to the previous 10,000 feet, which allows passengers to connect approximately 20 minutes earlier than the previous network allowed.
The lightweight system is scalable with 3 configurations available: Core, Plus, and Max. It provides a state-of-the-art modem and router and allows subscribers to access Gogo Text &amp; Talk along with their integrated inflight entertainment media server, Gogo Vision. Gogo Vision lets cabin passengers stream movies and TV shows to their personal devices.
Although equipment and installations can be covered by an MRA (Major Repair Alteration), the Duncan Aviation Engineering &amp; Certification Services department has amended most of the STCs used to install the AVANCE L5 so customers can use those STCs to install the AVANCE L3 Wi-Fi system.
As airborne connectivity takes advantage of the faster speeds offered by newer networks, networks relying on slower speeds and older equipment will be phased out.
Now that the Gogo 5G network is complete, Gogo Aviation is focusing on updating customers’ service and experiences on their licensed 4G/LTE and 5G networks. Legacy ATG 4000, ATG 5000, ATG 2000, and ATG1000 equipment cannot connect to the newer networks and will not be supported beyond early 2026. That will affect more than 3,500 operators.
Without access to a network, those 3,500 aircraft will no longer have in-flight connectivity.
When Gogo Aviation migrates service from its 3G network to its Gogo Biz 4G/LTE network, bandwidth will increase by approximately 40%. To access this network with its faster throughput rates, operators with the ATG 4000, ATG 5000, ATG 2000, and ATG 1000 systems in their aircraft must upgrade to the Gogo AVANCE L3, which can access the 4G/LTE network.
Gogo is offering a $25,000 incentive to customers who upgrade their Classic ATG system onboard equipment to the AVANCE L3 (MAX and PLUS only), upon service activation.
Duncan Aviation has developed STCs covering the equipment upgrade for Falcon 2000/2000EX.
Downtime for the upgrade is minimal: five business days. The upgrade entails swapping out the older ATG box with the newer AVANCE L3 box. The existing antenna will provide access to the LTE/4G network.
Plan and schedule upgrades now as industry capacity will be stressed the closer we get to the move from ATG to LTE.&nbsp;

<h2>GARMIN</h2>
G1000 Nxi—This flight deck incorporates two large 10.4-inch primary digital flight displays with synthetic vision and a 15-inch multifunction display that includes digital engine gauges, moving map, traffic, weather, and other important flight-related data. The Garmin 1000 Nxi exceeds the FAA’s requirements for ADS-B (Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast) and enables WAAS LPV (Wide-Area Augmentation System Localizer Performance with Vertical Guidance) approaches at most business aviation airports in the United States.
“We also integrated an Automatic Direction Finder (ADF) and High Frequency (HF) communications system, which added an enjoyably complex challenge to the installations,” laughs Duncan Aviation’s Houston Satellite Manager Mark Winter. “The installation was dynamic as we removed the aging system from the cockpit and installed the Garmin G1000Nxi, which has many additional features and weighs much less than the previous system.”
G600Txi—After removing the obsolete analog equipment, techs install the G600Txi with its two integrated digital displays. Depending on available space and budget, the G600Txi can be scaled to include up to four displays.
One of our customers at the Duncan Aviation Satellite in Portland, Oregon, wanted to replace his old analog gauges, gain greater situational awareness, and save some weight in the process.
Designed for high-performance piston or turboprop aircraft, the 10.6- and/or 7-inch touchscreen flight displays offer Primary Flight Display (PFD) and Multi-Function Display (MFD) functionality. An integrated Engine Indication System (EIS) is an optional feature. The HSI map overlay increases pilots’ situational awareness, giving access to real-time weather and traffic.
In late 2023/early 2024, the Duncan Aviation Satellite in Denver, Colorado, will begin installing the Garmin G600Txi in a series of Citation 525 aircraft (525, 525A and 525B). This Garmin STC will cover installation of dual 10.6-inch G600Txi displays, dual GTN-450 GPS (if needed), a single 7-inch Portrait Engine Display, the GFC-600 autopilot system, a GMA-350 Audio Panel, and GI-275 Standby instruments.
<h2>UNIVERSAL AVIONICS</h2>
FMS WAAS LPV—In 2021, Duncan Aviation’s Avionics Regional Sales Manager John Spellmeyer and Pilot Michael Kussatz were joined by Universal Avionics Senior Field Service Engineer Eric Carlson to discuss how WAAS- and LPV-enabled Universal Avionics FMS increases safety, improves operational efficiency, and lowers direct operating costs. See the recording of that webinar here:&nbsp;<a href="https://duncanaviation.aero/resources/straight-talk/waas-lpv-an-fms-upgrade-that-pays-for-itself">https://duncanaviation.aero/resources/straight-talk/waas-lpv-an-fms-upgrade-that-pays-for-itself</a>
Designed for aircraft ranging from PC-12s to Boeing 747s, pilots will be able to use the FMS-LPV’s SBAS (Space-Based Augmentation System) WAAS/LPV for greater precision on approaches. WAAS provides navigation systems that take advantage of GPS&nbsp;and&nbsp;Geostationary Satellites to offer greatly improved accuracy—both horizontally and vertically to within 12 inches. It’s reliable and accurate.
There are multiple approach indicators, greater flexibility in selecting airport, and access to smaller airports with reduced minimums, and you’ll experience fuel savings in an aircraft equipped with LPV. Certainly, the upgrade will cost money and time, but the initial investment will provide savings in fuel and flight time. As systems age, newer equipment like this greatly enhances the resale value of aircraft.&nbsp;

<h2>HONEYWELL AEROSPACE</h2>
Laseref IV—Honeywell ceased its support of the legacy Laseref II and III in December 2019, and Duncan Aviation held a webinar about options available for aging aircraft (<a href="https://www.duncanaviation.aero/resources/straight-talk/honeywell-flight-deck-upgrades-for-your-aging-aircraft" target="_blank">https://www.duncanaviation.aero/resources/straight-talk/honeywell-flight-deck-upgrades-for-your-aging-aircraft</a>)
The Laseref IV Inertial Reference Unit (IRU) is an all-digital Ring Laser Gyro (RLG) that provides outputs for ARINC 429 and standard aircraft communication buses. In addition to the obsolescence of the previous IRUs, the Laseref IV weighs 35% less than previous versions, and it’s interchangeable with the Laseref III with an adapter tray, so there are no modifications necessary. Even better, the Laseref IV uses considerably less power than the previous versions.
It automatically realigns functions after flights, preventing delays on quick turns, and automatically calibrates its sensors. Interfacing with the Honeywell HG2021 GNSSU ARINC 743A receiver gives pilots access to optimal GPS/Inertial hybrid computations.
DU-875 PEAF—Duncan Aviation completed 11 installations, including an industry first installation on an Embraer Legacy at the Duncan Aviation Satellite in Houston, Texas. Duncan Aviation has also developed numerous STCs that cover the equipment and installation for the Honeywell Primus Elite (DU-875) displays.
For operators who already have the Honeywell Primus Elite, the Primus Elite Advanced Features (PEAF) offers upgrades to the DU-875 digital displays, replacing the old CRT monitors in the flightdeck. These digital displays allow pilots to see more chart and graphical weather information than they could on the obsolete CRTs. Additional features include Synthetic Vision System (SVS), TCAS Overlay on Enhanced Moving Map Displays, and METAR weather reports.
DU-875 PEEF—For operators who have Primus Elite, the Primus Elite Enhanced Features (PEEF) is an upgrade that replaces all of your pre-DU-875 displays with DU-875 displays in the flightdeck.
CD-830—This control display unit (CDU) adds an enhanced visibility, high-resolution, digital display to the Honeywell FMZ-2000 Flight Management System (FMS). Because it has the same form factor as the CD-810 and CD-820, and it’s a plug-and-play replacement, no modifications necessary.

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