Duncan Aviation Delivers Falcon 2000EX
Duncan Aviation’s experts at its full-service maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) facility in Lincoln, NE, modernize a legacy Falcon 2000EX and give it new life with new paint, silk carpet, new PSU overlay panels, streamlined drink rails, and several other unique details.
Senior lead designer, Stephanie Kuhn, began by defining the interior with the carpet. With a field that is 100% marbled silk, the carpet is luxurious and provides a soft appearance. “Typically, carpets feature a flatter tone or incorporate accents of silk,” explains Kuhn. “In this case, the silk covering the entire field provides a shimmer effect and serves as a prominent focal point.”
The Duncan team also designed one-piece PSU overlay panels and modernized the drink rails to create an updated look in the cabin but keep it functional. The PSU overlay panels are both easy to remove and install and integrate well with existing or new LED lighting. The streamlined profile of the updated drink rails modernizes the interior and gives it contemporary appeal. The existing cupholders were relocated to fit the new lid that accommodates the cabin switch panels.
To accommodate the owners' request for more aisle clearance, the team replaced the outdated settee that was bulky and protruded into the aisle. By reducing the thickness on the backrest and streamlining the design, they were able to provide two more inches of space in the aisle without sacrificing seating area or comfort.
Other interior changes include a new composite brown-ebony veneer on the drink rails, tabletops, galley and lavatory, as well as plating that offers a modern look and coordinates with the veneer. Black pearl satin is featured on metal surfaces like latches, lights, air vents, faucets, sinks and cupholders. New polycarbonate on the galley and lavatory slider doors has a soft linen texture that provides an opaque look to the illuminated compartments. The grain of the solid-surface galley and lavatory countertops offers a marbled appearance, providing a stylish alternative to natural materials, and blue leather lower sidewalls coordinate perfectly with the accent yarn in the carpet and complement the exterior paint stripe. New fabric on the window panels, treated to give it liquid-repellent properties, enhances the space with a soft texture, similar to an Ultraleather material but with slightly better sound absorption. New Prizm LED lighting, USB ports, Collins Venue cabin management system (CMS), and the Alto Technology sound system were also installed.
For the exterior, Kuhn initially presented the clients with a few options for the new paint design. After selecting their favorite elements from the different designs, Kuhn used the clients' input to reimagine the possibilities and create a final design that incorporated everything they desired. The new paint features a sleek, modern design with sweeping stripes in blue, navy and silver grey. The timeless and professional appearance enhances the aircraft’s overall presence.
Senior Modifications & Sales rep, Tracey Boesch, says it is fun to see what the aircraft looked like before and compare it to what it has become. “From the upgrades in the build, layered with newer, contemporary details and materials, we breathed new life into the aircraft,” she says. “It was really a treat to see the before and after. It’s always a fun and enjoyable process, and I have to remind myself to take it all in. Typically, we get the project done, take photos, then it’s on to the next one. I took an extra moment to linger and enjoy the great artisanship our teams performed on this aircraft.”
Watch a video of the newly refurbished aircraft at https://duncanaviation.aero/videos/refurbishing-a-falcon-2000ex-a-natural-beauty.