Avionics News May 2013 - 66

MEET GARY HARPSTER
Continued from page 65

would send their broken unit in for repair. When the cockpit
voice recorder mandate came out, Duncan Aviation needed
someone else in avionics sales, so I moved into that position
in the early 1990s and have been there ever since.
Duncan Aviation has such an excellent reputation. Why?
Duncan Aviation is a family-owned business. As employees, we know that each one of us represents a long history
of aviation enthusiasts. There is so much history here, and
I’m surrounded by people who care a
great deal about the finished product and
what their workmanship represents. You
can’t help but get caught up in the energy
these professionals have. Robert and Todd
Duncan have always allowed team members to do what they felt was necessary to
grow the company. You have the opportunity to propose ideas. Those ideas will be
reviewed and challenged. But if you have a
good business case, more than likely you’ll
get the nod to make it happen. It has to
be a challenge with 2,000 employees to
create an atmosphere where everyone
believes their work is appreciated. But
we do it, 24 hours a day and seven days
a week. I’ve never been to a single company presentation in 28 years where the
employees didn’t stand and wholeheartedly applaud for Robert or Todd Duncan, mainly because of
the amount of compassion they have for this industry, their
company, their team members and their customers.
What’s been your relationship with the AEA through the years?
I’ve served on the board of directors since 2005, and as vice
chair since 2010. As a representative of our company, I provide input on what our day-to-day operations are like as well as the challenges we face. We really have a well-balanced board with a good
mix of knowledge and geographic locations represented. We have
very few individuals who are reluctant to speak up and tell the rest
of us what’s working and what isn’t. Most of the challenges our
membership faces have to do with uneven enforcement of the
FAA policies across the country. What one shop is burdened with
from a regulatory perspective, a shop on the opposite coast may
never encounter. The rules and guidelines should apply to everyone evenly. Unfortunately, rules are written words, and written
words have always been subject to interpretation by the individuals enforcing them. The FAA knows some changes are needed. If
the AEA can demonstrate we have the ability to assist in these
changes, it should be good for everyone.
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Can you give an example?
Recently, I was reading an article about the Air France
Flight 447 crash. In this article, it made reference to the “pitot static tubes having been tested to minus 40 degrees Fahrenheit, which was a guideline established in 1943.” As we
all know, corporate and commercial jets fly a lot higher than
they did back in 1943. So just like those manufacturing guidelines were reassessed, I’m sure we have other criteria that we
live by that need to be reviewed for applicability in today’s
environment. How many other policies do we adhere to that
are outdated? I want to ask our maintenance personnel for
their input on guidelines they suggest are due for an update.
How much time will you devote to
being chair of the board?
I asked that question myself and was
told “as much as you want to put into it.”
What does that mean? I guess I’ll find out.
I am going to confer with Paula Derks, the
AEA president, and get her thoughts on
what she would like me to work on. My
term as chair is only for one year. If a board
member is re-elected after his or her initial
three-year term, you can follow that process for two additional terms. This is my
eighth year, so my time is up next year. I do
believe in term limits. So just like my feelings on government positions, it’s the best
way to get new blood and ideas pumping
into an organization by rotating the board
members.
You’re serving as chair of the board during an interesting
time. Do you think the market is getting better?
I see great opportunities with unmanned aerial vehicles.
We’re moving more and more toward that, and UAVs are
right up the alley for today’s technicians. We need to reeducate ourselves somewhat, but there’s a tremendous
opportunity here. The military will push for more of these
vehicles, so this would be a great opportunity if some of the
AEA members take on this challenge.
When do you get started in your new leadership role?
It has started already and began at the conclusion of this
year’s AEA Convention. I have received a few emails, some
congratulations and offers to discuss topics further. It’s a
great honor to be the chairman, and I appreciate this opportunity.
We have a great group to work with at the AEA, and it is
my hope that I can leave an imprint on the organization during the next year and make it just a little better for each and
every member. q

Avionics News May 2013

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