Duncan Aviation Delivers Modern, Timeless GLEX
Duncan Aviation announces the complete refurbishment of a 2001 GLEX at its full-service facility in Provo, UT. Every shop had a role in the completion, with the aircraft’s interior being completely gutted and the paint stripped. The team also performed a 240-month inspection and installed new LED lighting, a Honeywell RDR-7000 radar upgrade, and KA connectivity system.
Preparation work for the project began nearly two years ago, involving regional manager Joe LaCorte; Stef Sedam, then part of the Airframe Services sales team; Matt Spain for Paint and Interior Sales; and Steve Elofson for Avionics Sales on the quoting process.
“We were given the opportunity by the director of maintenance to perform a 3,000-hour inspection at our Provo facility as a test run about a year before the major inspection project,” says LaCorte. “After a successful event, he trusted us with the complete refurbishment of his GLEX.”
The owner wanted his new interior to be modernized with white, bright and cozy finishes. Lead designer Molly Pfeiffer mocked up a full interior spec presentation for the owner, creating clean modern lines in the cabin, before finalizing his slot nearly 18 months later.
The entire interior of the aircraft was gutted. The rounded, hardwood, bullnose trim was removed from the bulkheads and was replaced with a squared-off fabric insert that is surrounded by new veneer. “We brought in two different fabrics throughout the cabin; one on the divan and one for the bulkhead inserts,” says Pfeiffer. “Both fabrics feature grey and white patterns that help bring some texture and depth into the cabin.”
The combination of whites used in the old interior had aged individually, each fading to a different undertone. To prevent this from happening again, Pfeiffer incorporated whites with a similar yellow undertone, allowing the color to present as a cohesive design as the cabin ages.
The only thing that stayed was the blue stone inlay in the drink rails. “The blue inlay was a beautiful detail that got lost with the birdseye maple used previously,” explains Pfeiffer. “When placed against the new light veneer, it became a really striking detail.”
Instead of upholstering the seats in leather, sheepskin cushions were used. This was a first for Pfeiffer. “The owner specifically requested sheepskin for the seats because he likes the softness and comfort,” she says. “It was the first time I’ve seen this, so we updated the seat design to be more modern, and from there we decided to make the entire seat cushion sheepskin, rather than just having the top part of the cushion sheepskin.” The end result was a modern, timeless, clean look.
The white carpet was also a challenge for the Duncan Aviation team. “Since this was a white carpet and we didn’t want to risk it getting dirty from footprints or tool bags, we waited until the very end to install it,” explains Pfeiffer. “The carpet really brought the entire interior together.”
Olivia Putman at Studio Putman, who has a well-established relationship with the family, worked with Duncan on the final product. “Olivia knows the owners very well, so we worked together to bring their vision to life,” says Pfeiffer. “For example, they sent me a regular veneer they liked for the design, so I went on a hunt to find the aviation equivalent of it. I would send them different design options, and they’d choose the best fit for the owner. I truly enjoyed working with them.”
“Molly was extremely important in the process and helped us to achieve this beautiful project with the best craftsmanship she could provide,” says Putman. “The quality of work by Duncan Aviation is really flawless. It was an incredible pleasure to bring our design to the sky. In the history of Studio Putman, my mother, Andrée Putman, designed the Concorde. This was the first time I’ve designed an aircraft, and it was an honor.”
Pfeiffer says this was one of the most challenging projects she has worked on. “Working with all white and making the owners' vision come together without creating a stark and cold environment was a challenge,” says Pfeiffer. “When you fly, you are in the aircraft for a long time. You want the space to be comforting and inviting.”
Pfeiffer says she could not be happier with the entire Duncan Aviation Provo Interior team for their care and execution of this project. “I have the vision, but they are the ones that truly bring my designs to life,” she says. “I couldn’t do it without their support.”
Pfeiffer says that every shop at Duncan Aviation played an important role. “This was a true Duncan Aviation-Provo airplane,” says Pfeiffer. “It was a surreal feeling as we watched the aircraft fly away. It was special.”
For more information about any of Duncan Aviation’s services, call +1 402.475.2611 or visit www.DuncanAviation.aero.