Duncan Aviation’s Karl Detweiler Loses Year-Long Battle With Cancer

Duncan Aviation loses a longtime team member and an aviation expert who was well-known in the industry. Karl Detweiler, Duncan Aviation’s manager of Accessories Marketing and Business Development, worked at Duncan Aviation for nearly 22 years where he provided marketing expertise, business development, technical support and the development of FAA-approved repairs for aircraft component repair and overhaul. He passed on the afternoon of May 18 after a year-long battle with cancer, surrounded by his family.

Before joining Duncan Aviation in 1996, Detweiler was the director of Operations for Executive Aircraft in Wichita, KA, for two years and held several positions with TXI Aviation from 1988 through 1994. In 1990, he started the component repair division at TXI Aviation. From 1979 through 1988, Detweiler worked as an A&P technician on corporate aircraft, including Falcons, Learjets, Citations, Sabreliner, Hawkers. In his career, Detweiler wrote FAA Part 145 repair station manuals and documents, helped obtain FAA Part135 charter certificates and taught various technical classes and courses throughout the industry.

“Karl was an inspiration to many and had his priorities in order,” says Kevin Miesbach, Components/OEM Business Development manager for Duncan Aviation. “His faith, family and industry acquaintances were what kept him awake at night—literally. I think he worked all night. He was open to the thoughts and opinions of others and loved to talk and discuss any of those topics at any time.”