Duncan Aviation recently worked with a longtime customer to refurbish a Gulfstream IV-SP to better operate as a corporate shuttle for up to 14 passengers.
This longtime Duncan Aviation client uses a fleet of GIV-SPs that operate as vital corporate shuttles, often flying 12 to 14 people on longer international trips, says Austin Chambers, Airframe Service Sales Rep for Duncan Aviation’s Battle Creek, Michigan, location. One of their aircraft had a 96 month inspection due, which required that the interior be removed and replaced. It sported a configuration that did not have divans designed for the durability they required, nor were they the client’s preferred seating option for three adults. Duncan Aviation and the customer decided an extensive cabin reconfiguration along with the inspection was the best option for the aircraft’s mission.
“This was a great opportunity to show what Duncan Aviation can do, offering something truly custom for a client’s specific needs. Whenever we get the opportunity to work large, multi-shop projects like this, it’s exciting. This is where Duncan Aviation really shines,” Chambers says.
The interior design was lead by Kristen Cotugno, Senior Lead Designer with Duncan Aviation in Battle Creek. Cotugno knew she was up to a unique challenge after listening to the customer’s needs. She concluded that the interior needed to be durable enough to hold up to constant use while containing subtle masculine features and be comfortable for all 14 passengers. She and her internal design team got to work with the support of Duncan Aviation’s engineering department and built up renderings to review with the customer.
The Gulfstream GIV-SP delivered earlier this year with a completely refurbished and reconfigured interior featuring 14 individual club seats in walnut brown leather. The unique configuration has all of the seats facing straight ahead towards the cockpit, similar to typical airline seating. Many of the seats feature rotating bases, allowing them to pivot 180 degrees when needed, which gives the seats the flexibility to function more like seats do in a standard corporate configuration. In the end, countless hours of planning and execution all came together for a truly beautiful and versatile finished product and another satisfied customer.
“Our client had specific mission requirements and although what they were asking us to complete was difficult, we embraced the challenge and delivered a product that substantially surpassed their expectations, all while staying within their budget,” says George Bajo, Completions and Modifications Manager.
In addition to the inspection and the refurbishment, the aircraft’s workscope included a 5000 landing inspection, including replacement of the failed cap angle, and a full custom paint scheme. The company’s other two GIV-SPs also came in for heavy airframe maintenance events, full paint refurbishments, and 5000 landing inspections all with failed cap angle replacements.