Duncan Aviation’s Pilatus PC-12, crafted by renowned artist Derek DeYoung, blends intricate fishing design and vibrant exterior, highlighting aircraft modification and excellence in Pilatus PC-12 transformations.
Duncan Aviation introduces its newest company-owned aircraft, a Pilatus PC-12 meticulously crafted by a renowned artist Derek DeYoung. Aircraft interior and exterior designs are a tribute to the passion for fishing shared by Todd Duncan, Chairman of the Board, Duncan Aviation. In a collaboration with artist Derek DeYoung, Duncan Aviation has unveiled a unique design for their latest aircraft. The interior captures the essence of Western Nebraska, boasting natural colors, rich leathers, intricate stitching, hydrographic details, and vibrant accents. Notably, the aircraft features an all-new Garmin flight deck, adding to its modern appeal.
Upon the request ofTodd Duncan, Leah Alexander, Aircraft Sales & Acquisitions Sales Repprocured a 10-year-old Pilatus PC-12 in early 2023, swiftly integrating the aircraft into the company’s flight department.
“With the understanding that any aircraft would also be placed in our fleet in support of the company’s operations, I performed detailed mission and budget analyses based on our flight department’s actual trips and compared a number of models, A Colorado-based dealer who knew we were seriously looking for a PC-12/47 with a great pedigree brought this one to our attention before it was going to be openly marketed for sale. This aircraft truly ticked all of the boxes and the transaction itself went incredibly smoothly in no small part because of the combined efforts of different teams across the company.” said Alexander.
The PC-12, with 4,000+ flight hours, required significant upgrades upon acquisition. Avionics modifications, heavy maintenance, new paint, and interior renovations were essential to restore its condition.
A HIGH STANDARD
Recognizing the high standards set by the company’s existing fleet, Duncan Aviation anticipated the difficulty of replicating the widely recognized paint schemes on their other aircraft.
Duncan said, “I tell people who have seen the one-off paint work on our company-owned aircraft that they are really the responsibility of my mother and father. This one was on me. I knew I had a high bar to match and it was going to be difficult. I leaned heavily on my dad for advice throughout the entire process.‘
The paint scheme was far from the usual Matterhorn white with a single stripe, presenting a distinctive look.
A PASSION AS A CHILD
Duncan’s passion for fishing and the outdoors traces back to childhood memories of fishing trips with his father in Canada.
Duncan said “I was hooked as a little kid, I’ve done it ever since I was little. I love taking my friends and family with me just like my dad did with him. It’s just something I love doing. It’s not a literal fish, it’s the experience, To me, it’s about the experience you get when you go fishing, whether it’s a pond here in Nebraska, or somewhere more exotic. You load up all your equipment, grab the fellas, and go. That’s what this thing was built for, and I’m just so excited to take this all over the world.”
When queried about the paint scheme, Duncan described it as an interpretation reflecting the essence of fishing.
A DESIGN COMMISSIONED
The design commissioned for the aircraft was crafted by Derek DeYoung. DeYoung recalled Duncan’s initial enthusiasm for the project, emphasizing his love for Canadian fishing trips and the anticipation of landing the aircraft there to witness people’s reactions.
“I had always admired Derek’s work. He’s a famous artist in the fishing world, and I noticed his work years ago. We tracked him down and encouraged him to design a paint scheme for this aircraft.” explained Duncan.
Robert Suarez, a Sales Representative for Aircraft Sales & Acquisitions, reached out to Derek DeYoung, briefing him on the situation and inquiring about his interest in the project.
DeYoung said “I said ‘heck yeah, who wouldn’t want to design a paint scheme for an airplane?’ I’m excited to work with anyone who comes to me with a great attitude and realistic expectation of my time, we were able to come up with a plan and make it happen. I’ve done a ton of crazy, weird projects over the years, but nothing like this. To work with an actual paint department was pretty cool.”
Duncan expressed his preference for freshwater lakes and his fondness for species like Northern Pike, Muskie, and Walleye to DeYoung. He aimed to evoke the essence of these fish when viewing the aircraft’s design.
DeYoung presented Duncan with four distinct designs. After deliberating over the feasibility and aesthetics of painting such intricate designs on an aircraft, they settled on a scheme closely resembling the Northern Pike. This choice aligned with Duncan’s original vision of showcasing the aircraft during Canadian landings.
DeYoung explained “Northern Pike are moss green with ivory-colored oval spots, I don’t just glance at fish. I try to find nuances and colors that maybe not every Pike has. A fish’s colors and patterns change with the lighting. Things can happen like a hologram and different colors show up purely based on the way you look at them. I knew the plane was something that we couldn’t go way complex on, based on the limitations. But, I couldn’t just do a moss green plane with ivory oval spots; that was not an option.”
The completed design features an iridescent purple nose transitioning into green, adorned with ivory spots that gradually shift to yellow towards the aircraft’s belly.
DeYoung said “It’s a beautiful interpretation of a Northern Pike. This was one that took some patience and didn’t happen overnight, I can’t wait to see Todd’s reaction the first time he touches down in Canada for his fishing trip. That’s when it’ll become apparent what he’s done.”
To conceptualize the design, Derek utilized a schematic of the aircraft on his iPad and digitally rendered the paint scheme. While the 2D design provided a visual representation, the paint department faced the challenge of translating it into a three-dimensional context. According to Derek, the final outcome closely resembled the envisioned design, considering the constraints of the application method employed. DeYoung described the process as both exciting and enjoyable.
ZERO HESITATION
Stacy Finch, Paint Layout Technician and Trevor Reinke, Paint Crew Leader were fully prepared for any challenges presented by Todd.
Reinke said “This was different from anything we’ve ever done, a lot of the projects we work on are cut and dried. This was a little more than that, and we never had any doubts. My initial shock value when I got the portfolio of renderings was, ‘Oh, my!’ The hardest part was getting started, so from there, we got to work. They got the final result, It was great to see Todd that excited. When he walked through the door to see the plane for the first time, he was either going to love it or he wasn’t. And, he did.”
Upon receiving the artist’s renderings, Finch devised a scaled version of the design tailored to fit the aircraft, creating stencils for precise cutting. He conducted thorough research on the artist’s portfolio to inform his approach.
The challenge with this intricate paint scheme was achieving the desired blends and fades while adhering to the correct shapes and maintaining fidelity to the artist’s concept. Upon initial review of the renderings, Finch and Reinke observed the absence of distinct hard edges, adding to the complexity of the task.
“All of the shapes were faded on the edges, so we had to find a way to make the shapes and soften the edges as we went, It was challenging and took a little more time, but we were able to pull it off. it was a simple solution, and worked exactly as we expected, It was something we’ve never had to try before. Knowing Todd had the confidence in us helped a ton, It made everyone on the team feel good about themselves and the work they do. Everyone communicated well and had the same vision, so it was no surprise we pulled this off.” said Finch
To achieve the desired soft edges, the team utilized foam tubing to outline the shapes. Both Finch and Reinke emphasized the extensive preparation undertaken prior to the project, underscoring the rewarding aspect of Todd’s unwavering confidence in their abilities. The aircraft boasted a palette of 16 carefully formulated colors, all featuring pearl finishes, with three being tri-coats. Additionally, approximately six to eight colors were blended together to enhance transitions and highlight high- and low-light areas.
Duncan noted that his enthusiasm for the project peaked when he observed certain members of the Duncan Aviation Paint team directing their attention towards him and saying, “You know. We can do this. We can pull this off, and it’ll be fantastic.” He distinctly recalls Brandon Boyer, Paint Team Leader expressing confidence, affirming that they could bring the scheme to fruition and achieve a stunning result.
Duncan said “It was a real team effort, and they stood behind their word, they pulled it off. Having the creative talent behind you and the ability to do something different is the most fun a guy can have.”
CLASSIC, VIBRANT, AND CUSTOM
Duncan’s original vision for the aircraft’s interior diverged from replicating the exterior paint scheme. Instead, he aimed for a distinct ambiance characterized by a Western Nebraska aesthetic, featuring natural colors and leathers with subtle nods to the exterior scheme. The interior boasts unique stitching, hydrographic elements, and hidden details for added intrigue, exuding an elegant yet customized feel.
Designer Jaime Blanken describes the cabin as cozy yet modern, featuring bold pops of color on the conference tables and contrast stitching on the seats.
AN UNIQUE ASSESSMENT
The seats steal the show in the interior, with the front four featuring a lighter, two-tone Torino Lakestone and Torino Appalachian color adorned with contrasting purple double-stitching, while the back two seats sport a dark, single-tone Torino Appalachian color with orange single-stitching. The colored stitching serves as a subtle nod to the exterior paint colors, adding a touch of vibrancy to the cabin. The combination of different leather colors, stitching hues and sizes, and unique quilting on the centerpiece inserts lends the seats a distinctive and unmatched appearance.
AN DUNCAN AVIATION FIRST
All cabinetry and drink rails were crafted using a hydrographics process, featuring a carbon fiber pattern matching the color of the leather seats in the flight deck. This light-colored pattern enhances the interior’s spaciousness and inviting ambiance. Additionally, Copper Sheet inserts with a Dark Distressed Patina pattern were incorporated into the conference table, introducing a vibrant touch of color.
“Since the seat backs are plastic, we were able to dip them and create a cohesive, unexpected touch, We also included a small Duncan Aviation logo on the back of the front four seats in a Purple Pearl to match the stitching when the sun hits it just right. The two back seats have an orange logo to coordinate with the orange stitching.”said Blanken.
Tom Dirkschneider, Upholstery Master Specialist noted that this was his inaugural experience applying hydrographics to a chair.
Dirkschneider said “They were in pretty rough condition when they came to us,” “They look so good now, it’s unreal how far they’ve come. The hydrodipping is just another step up that gives the customer a good, high-quality product.”
The seat backs were hydrodipped, marking a first for Duncan Aviation.
ABOUT THE STICHING
After receiving the seat drawings, Dirkschneider meticulously marked out lines and stitching positions, transferring them onto vinyl to create over 60 patterns for various chair parts. Purple double-stitching on the front four seats was done using a specialized sewing machine, while the rest of the stitching, excluding quilted inserts, was hand-sewn by the Duncan Aviation team in Lincoln. Custom diamond-patterned quilted inserts were crafted using a new CNC quilting machine at the Battle Creek, Michigan location, showcasing technological advancements and maintaining stitch tolerance within one millimeter, highlighting Duncan Aviation’s commitment to quality and innovation in seat design.
ALL ABOUT DETAILS
The carpet, an Acousticord variant renowned for its durability typically reserved for flight deck and baggage areas, was deliberately kept understated to accentuate the interior’s other features. All materials throughout the aircraft are selected for their durability and ease of cleaning, ensuring effortless maintenance after each trip. Additionally, the lower sidewalls are adorned with orange and purple wool fabric, introducing vibrant hues to complement the overall cabin aesthetic.
UPGRADES OF AVIONICS
In collaboration with the customized paint and interior, Duncan Aviation’s Satellite Shop in Denver, Colorado, equipped the Pilatus’ flight deck with brand-new Garmin systems, enhancing pilot capabilities with increased information, redundancies, and safety features. The installation, including a new instrument panel by Nimbus Aviation, resulted in notable weight savings compared to the previous systems and wiring configuration.
Edduyn Pita, Manager of the Denver Satellite, “We weighed everything, including the wires, and by adding the new equipment, the Pilatus is now 162.23 pounds lighter! The aircraft arrived with no interior. Three technicians from Lincoln accompanied the Pilatus, and they helped with defueling. In order to calibrate the new Engine Indication System, the plane had to be defueled first. I’m really proud of my team. They did a great job on the Pilatus”
In Denver, the team replaced the original avionics and wiring with a suite of upgraded components, including a G600TXi with color primary flight displays, Garmin Engine Indication System, and Synthetic Vision System. They installed dual GTN 750XI units for GPS Com Nav/Radar Indicator, a GFC600 all-digital Autopilot, GWX75 Radar system, and GI275 Standby Instrument for electrical backup. USB outlets were added for software updates and tablet charging, connected to the GI275 for power support.
Pita and his team meticulously located and eliminated unused wires before the Pilatus arrived, streamlining the installation process. They pre-fabricated the necessary wiring and harnesses for the new equipment, saving two weeks of downtime. Additionally, they installed wires for AirText, enabling text communication for pilots and passengers, and added two USB outlets in the cabin for charging purposes.
BEFORE EVERYTHING
Before proceeding with paint, interior, and avionics upgrades, maintenance work was imperative. Duncan Aviation, lacking authorization for Pilatus aircraft maintenance, transferred the plane to KCAC Aviation in Olathe, Kansas. There, it underwent an annual inspection and underwent multiple repairs.
Tony Mateer, Director of Operations, KCAC Aviation said “Duncan Aviation has made their PC-12 uniquely theirs as they do through innovation and imagination,KCAC Aviation is excited to be involved with this very innovative aircraft. Congratulations to the entire Duncan Aviation team that has again created a masterpiece.”
CREATIVITY AND AMUSEMENT
This aircraft showcases the diverse skills of Duncan Aviation’s artisans, involving teams from Denver, the Paint department, Interior division, and beyond. Over 100 team members contributed to this extensive project, demonstrating the collaborative effort behind its transformation. Duncan attributes his appreciation for unique items and contemporary art to his parents’ influence and passion.
“I absolutely love it, You don’t really know what kind of fish, or if it’s even a fish. I love that about it. This is something that is unique to me. This is next-level and a lot of fun to be able to represent Duncan Aviation in. They gave me the ability to be creative and have fun,” said Duncan. “I can’t even imagine my Grandpa Donald’s reaction. He’d absolutely love it and be enormously proud of us all. But, he’d be really interested as to where the story of Duncan Aviation is going in the next 10, 20, and 30 years, too. For me, this was a heck of a lot of fun, We will have this aircraft for years to come, and we recognize the hundreds of team members who worked on the aircraft and turned a vision into reality. It’s just incredible.”
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It’s more than just a fish and it’s the result of a seasoned team uniting to bring a vision to life.
