Duncan Aviation Transforms Dated Gulfstream G550

Duncan Aviation delivers a Gulfstream G550 that was transformed with a full interior refurbishment and avionics upgrades. The customer wanted to refresh the dated aircraft with a sleek, new look, and so the Duncan Aviation Interior and Design teams incorporated modern styling cues, modifying the seat design and handrails and adding high-contrast materials.

Lead designer, Jack Bauder, says the interior of the aircraft is highlighted by new seats and handrails inspired by the Gulfstream 600. “The owner really liked the G600 seats, but the seat design is always limited by the seat drawings and certifications,” says Bauder. “Our Upholstery shop did a fantastic job blending the G600 seat design with the existing structure to ensure the seats met certifications.”  

Achieving the plated finish on the cabin handrails was another challenge. “Since they were too large to plate or hydrodip, the Finish Shop came up with a creative solution,” says 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, who admits that one of the most rewarding parts about being in the Design department is taking a dated aircraft and breathing new life into it, says the finished interior looks like an entirely new aircraft.

The aircraft also received avionics upgrades that are a first to the G550. Senior Avionics sales rep Mike Morgan says 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,” says 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,” says Morgan.  

Duncan Aviation also installed the Collins Aerospace Venue with AVDS cabin management system, an upgrade specific to Gulfstream aircraft that have existing legacy Collins ACMS or CMS-1 systems. The Venue CMS was paired with the Bongiovi audio system. To learn more about the Bongiovi sound system, visit https://duncanaviation.aero/news/duncan-aviation-installs-fourth-bongiovi-audio-system.

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

For more information about any of Duncan Aviation’s services, call +1 402.475.2611 or visit www.DuncanAviation.aero.