Design Department Breathes New Life Into The Aircraft

A happy customer recently received their newly transformed Gulfstream G550, with a full interior refurbishment and avionics upgrade by Duncan Aviation. 

The scope of work included refreshing the interior, which was showing signs of age.

Lead Designer Jack Bauder said that the Gulfstream 600 was the inspiration for the new seats and handrails. “The owner really liked the G600 seats, but the seat design is always limited by the seat drawings and certifications,” said Bauder. “Our Upholstery shop did a fantastic job blending the G600 seat design with the existing structure to ensure the seats met certifications.”  

The plated finish on the cabin handrails proved to be a challenge, but was accomplished by the team. “Since they were too large to plate or hydrodip, the Finish Shop came up with a creative solution,” said Bauder. “They sanded the existing rails down to bare aluminum and applied a transparent Cerakote finish to match the clear-coating on the cabin plating.” 

Bauder enjoys being able to breathe life into dated aircraft and says that this is one of the most rewarding parts of being in the Design department. The aircraft also received avionics upgrades that are a first to the G550. 

Senior Avionics Sales Rep Mike Morgan said they installed the new KU/KA Tail radome that allows for the use of KA or KU Frequency Band Satcom Systems to be installed under the same radome. “This is a big deal because this is a newer STC on the market, and we are now able to provide options for high-speed data system installations to our customers,” said Morgan. 

Another exciting achievement was the Viasat VMT-1500-C KU-Band Satcom system. “After it was installed, we turned it on and it worked flawlessly,” said Morgan.  

Bauder and Morgan both said that the customer was extremely happy with his new aircraft, and described it as “transformative” and “awesome.” 

FMI: https://duncanaviation.aero/