Duncan Aviation is celebrating its satellite shop network's 35th anniversary.

In the early 1980s, Duncan Aviation's chairman emeritus Robert Duncan conceived of an ingenious way to make the company's avionics experts available to customers throughout the United States: take the Duncan Aviation avionics technicians to busy business aviation airports around the country where its customers' hangars were located. The idea proved popular with Duncan Aviation's customers.

By 1989, the idea had really taken off. There were 11 shops throughout the country, located in Houston, Texas; Fort Lauderdale, Florida; Atlanta, Georgia; Chicago, Illinois; White Plains, New York; St. Louis, Missouri; Santa Ana and San Jose, California; Washington, DC; Scottsdale, Arizona; and Cleveland, Ohio, and a shop in Dallas, Texas was due to open by the end of the year.

Duncan is celebrating the network of 28 Duncan Aviation satellite shops and workaway stations located throughout the United States. In addition to avionics line services, the satellite shops provide avionics service and support for aircraft owner/operators in times of critical, casual or remote-location need.

The Duncan Aviation satellite shops also coordinate any repair, overhaul, exchange, loaner or part needed for any jet, turbine, piston-powered aircraft or helicopter.

Manager of satellite operations Matt Nelson says: “I’ve worked with Duncan Aviation since 1987, and I’ve been involved with the satellite system for 27 years. In general, the Duncan Aviation satellite shops have the finest avionics talent in the business aviation industry. It’s not just the satellites, either, but also the main facilities; we’ve cross-pollinated over the years a bit, and that’s helped build and strengthen our culture throughout the entire company.”

Duncan was also recently named Honeywell Channel Partner of the Year and Dealer of the Year for 2019.

Honeywell channel partners are members of a carefully selected group of companies chosen because of their unique market reach, commitment to growth and strong track record of performance, integrity and compliance. These awards are not about recognising Honeywell's biggest channel partners, but rather their best channel partners, partners whose behaviours exemplify those of Honeywell by consistently going above and beyond to support its customers across the aerospace industry and across the globe.

Awarded at a global level, the Honeywell Channel Partner of the Year awards recognise partners for their strong performance, their commitment to cooperation and for providing customers with unparalleled support.

“We are proud to be recognised by Honeywell as an important channel partner,” says Jeff Lake, chief operating officer of Duncan Aviation's Lincoln, Nebraska, location. “We strive to provide the best possible service and support for our mutual customers and help them fly their assets safely and efficiently.”