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Annotated Bibliography: Duncan Aviation
Drew M. Collette
School of Business, Liberty University
Author Note
Drew M. Collette
I have no known conflict of interest to disclose.
Correspondence concerning this article should be addressed to Drew M. Collette
Email: dcollette1@liberty.edu
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References
Adams, C. (2020). Going paperless in the hangar. Aviation Maintenance Magazine. Retrieved
September 17, 2021, from https://www.avm-mag.com/going-paperless-in-the-hangar/.
The purpose of the article is to demonstrate how aviation maintenance facilities can limit
their environmental impact by going paperless. As it relates to operations management
specifically, the move to a paper-free system creates an opportunity to increase efficiency
of operations dramatically. Not only does it eliminate the need for physical storage space
which can be better utilized for business operations, going paperless allows for a
searchable digital database, streamlining projects, improving speed of required
documentation, and overall movement of projects from process to payment. As it relates
specifically to the final project, this article directly references Duncan Aviation as an
innovator in this area. The article talks about Duncan Aviation and how going paperless
has saved money, time, and eased the process for maintenance techs on the floor every
single day.
de Jong, S. J., & Beelaerts van Blokland, Wouter W.A. (2016). Measuring lean implementation
for maintenance service companies. International Journal of Lean Six Sigma, 7(1), 35-
61. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJLSS-12-2014-0039
The purpose of the paper was to propose a method to measure lean implementation from
a fixed asset perspective for the airline maintenance industry. With a focus on the
indicators, the authors deemed that continuous improvement scenarios could be explored
by value stream discrete event simulation. They found that the best indicators to measure
were turnover, gross margin and inventory pre-fixed asset and that the lean efficiency
model provides maintenance service companies the capability to simulate the effects of
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process improvements on operation performance prior to actual implementation. As it
applies to the final project, Duncan applies concepts of Lean and Six Sigma into their
efficiency models and this is a great study in what to measure as a part of that process.
They created a full time Continuous Improvement position at two of their hub locations,
and as they opened the Provo MRO, both Lean and Six Sigma were a big part of getting
the operations model in place.
Dinis, D., Barbosa-Póvoa, A., & Teixeira, Â. P. (2019). Valuing data in aircraft maintenance
through big data analytics: A probabilistic approach for capacity planning using Bayesian
networks. Computers & Industrial Engineering, 128, 920-
936. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cie.2018.10.015
The purpose of this paper is to address the problem of MRO capacity planning. By
exploring Bayesian networks (BNs) as a big data and predictive analytics (BDPA) tool to
cope with the uncertainty on both scheduled and unscheduled maintenance workloads,
the goal is to improve the MROs capacity planning decision-making process. As it
applies to operations management, capacity planning is one of the most critical aspects of
MRO operations and can make or break profitability. Hanger space is essential to
scheduling, and effective movement of aircraft in an efficient manner for the lifecycle of
a project will dramatically effect space capabilities, progress on aircraft, and overall turn
times. For the final paper, this study will be helpful in theorizing how Duncan Aviation
may address this issue in operations and provide insight on how an operations manager
might best approach the challenge.
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Fardnia, P., Kaspereit, T., Walker, T., & Xu, S. (2020). Financial performance and safety in the
aviation industry. International Journal of Managerial Finance, 17(1), 138-
165. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJMF-03-2019-0095
Safety and aviation need to go hand in hand. As a highly regulated industry, MROs are
under strict guidelines, but also face an immense amount of pressure and time constraints
from customers; after all, every minute an aircraft isn’t flying, it costs the customer
money. This delicate balance can tilt the wrong direction quickly if the culture and
procedures are not put in place to safeguard an operation. It is important to demonstrate
the connection between financial performance and safety within the industry, and how
operations management can stress safety without concern for the financial. As it applies
to the final paper, I will use this information as I discuss quality, project management,
planning, and process improvement.
Goncalves, C. D., & Kokkolaras, M. (2018). Collaborative product-service approach to aviation
maintenance, repair, and overhaul. part I: Quantitative model. Journal of Aviation
Technology and Engineering, 8(1) https://doi.org/10.7771/2159-6670.1181
The purpose of this paper was to establish the interdependent relationship between MROs
and OEMs within the aviation maintenance industry. The implications for operations is
displayed in the demonstration of how effective and structured collaboration between
OEMs and MRO enterprises can deliver higher added value to end customers. Specific to
this final paper, I was interested in reading the interviews conducted with MRO and OEM
professionals to identify the most impactful operational resources on MRO activities.
This paper outlines the quantitative data, but a companion paper demonstrates the
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application of the model, comparing results for two different combinations of companies
including a large OEM with a small MRO and a large OEM and a large MRO.
Goncalves, C. D., & Kokkolaras, M. (2019). Collaborative product-service approach to aviation
maintenance, repair, and overhaul. part II: Numerical investigations. Journal of Aviation
Technology and Engineering, 8(2), 8. https://doi.org/10.7771/2159-6670.1182
In part II of the study regarding the relationship of MROs and OEMs, the model
presented in part I is used to assess potential financial benefits for all stakeholders as a
result of collaboration. Stakeholders include MROs, OEMs, and the operators (end
users). As it applies to operations, the paper demonstrates the main business relationships
between MRO firms, OEMs, and operators as an innovative tool and requires a
collaborative mindset to be successful and how this plays out in decision-making. As it
applies to the final paper, these practical applications take the information from part I and
make it more digestible and applicable. Using part II, one can see the relationship
Duncan and OEMs can cultivate toward providing end users savings while maintaining
quality.
Gurkin, C. (2020). Aviation maintenance: Additional coordination and data could advance FAA
efforts to promote a robust, diverse workforce. GAO Reports, i-32.
https://ezproxy.liberty.edu/login?url=https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?
direct=true&db=bth&AN=130437466&site=ehost-live&scope=site
The aviation industry has a dwindling number of qualified maintenance technicians
active, and an anticipated shortage ahead. Demand for air travel has continued to grow,
but the number of young people entering the field and gaining the appropriate FAA
certifications necessary to work on aircraft. As an operations manager, it is crucial to
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continue to recruit and draw the top available talent to continue operations at a high level.
Duncan Aviation operates as the largest family-owned business aviation company in the
world with a reputation of exceptional quality, and top-notch technicians are what
maintain that standard. Data from this study will help supplement information in the final
paper regarding quality, innovation, and customization as well as planning strategies and
process improvement.
Junqueira, V. S. V., Nagano, M. S., & Miyata, H. H. (2020;2018;). Procedure structuring for
programming aircraft maintenance activities. Revista De Gestão, 27(1), 2-
20. https://doi.org/10.1108/REGE-02-2018-0026
In addition to capacity scheduling, project management is of the utmost importance in the
aviation MRO world. The purpose of this paper was to highlight project management
tools in scheduling MRO activities, and to propose the structuring of a procedure with the
goal of reducing aircraft downtime due to maintenance. With a predictable procedure,
MROs would better be able to guarantee the delivery of the aircraft on time, the ultimate
goal of end users. As it applies to Duncan Aviation, this information is directly applicable
as the project management department oversees aircraft and customers from intake to
delivery. A better understanding of the process as it applies to each shop, overall
efficiency, customer service and on-time delivery is critical to operations management.
Keleş, B., Steins, E., & Erkoc, M. (2017). Project scheduling for MRO work orders. IIE Annual
Conference. Proceedings. 1944-1949. http://ezproxy.liberty.edu/login?qurl=https%3A
%2F%2Fwww.proquest.com%2Fscholarly-journals%2Fproject-scheduling-mro-work-
orders%2Fdocview%2F1951122275%2Fse-2%3Faccountid%3D12085
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The purpose of the study was to track scheduling of activities of, “multiple projects with
the consideration of capacity allocation, activity preemption, and relative tardiness costs.”
Within the aviation maintenance, repair, and overhaul world, the ability to manage
multiple workorders efficiently and to deliver aircraft on time is essential to success. As it
applies directly to the final paper and Duncan Aviation specifically, all research and study
on this scheduling process and optimization of job shops is beneficial and will guide the
discussion forward. The emphasis on the juggling of multiple projects in this paper is
especially an important focus as there is never a singular project alone in an aviation
MRO.
Öhman, M., Hiltunen, M., Virtanen, K., & Holmström, J. (2021). Frontlog scheduling in aircraft
line maintenance: From explorative solution design to theoretical insight into buffer
management. Journal of Operations Management, 67(2), 120-
151. https://doi.org/10.1002/joom.1108
This research paper focuses on a long-term study of frontlog scheduling and
conceptualizes the practice of “over maintenance” as a way to keep aircraft grounded
less. From an MRO perspective, the ability to combine both necessary and anticipated
maintenance needs into singular visits is important and can benefit all stakeholders.
Operations can focus on generating additional revenue per visit, improve efficiency of
scheduling, and reduce aircraft downtime which also impacts customer satisfaction
positively. As it applies to the final paper, Duncan Aviation should have a detailed
checklist and process for identifying these additional maintenance opportunities for
customers to assist in these benefits for both the company and the customer.
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Pelt, M., Stamoulis, K., & Apostolidis, A. (2019). Data analytics case studies in the maintenance,
repair and overhaul (MRO) industry. MATEC Web of Conferences, 304,
4005. https://doi.org/10.1051/matecconf/201930404005
While there are many predictable aspects of aviation maintenance centered around
regularly scheduled and required maintenance, by nature there is an equal amount of
unpredictability. Machines break and need repair, and this can be difficult for large full-
service MROs like Duncan Aviation as customers call with immediate needs. This case
study looked at the use of data analytics to help analyze some of these unpredictable
factors. By using these statistical and machine methods, researchers were able to predict
duration of planned maintenance intervals as well as the probability of finding additional
issues during maintenance tasks. As it applies to operations, this information is invaluable
to scheduling and pricing. As it applies to the final paper, I will use this information in
support during discussions centered around proposed scheduling models.
Pereira, B., Lohmann, G., & Houghton, L. (2021). The role of collaboration in innovation and
value creation in the aviation industry. Journal of Creating Value, 7(1), 44-
59. https://doi.org/10.1177/23949643211010588
A literature review focused on how the aviation industry creates value, this study looks at
concepts like strategic decision-making, infrastructure, knowledge transfer, collaboration,
and communication flow to recognize best practices. As it applies to operations
management for an MRO facility, it is important to understand your end user and what is
important to them. By better understanding how your customer operates, you can
synthesize the things they value and why. As it applies to the final paper specifically, I
want to demonstrate the value the aviation industry as a whole provides and how an
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MRO keeps those aircraft operating. I also will use this information to demonstrate how
alignment of Duncan Aviation values and those of customers impacts the quality of
service provided.
Plioutsias, A., Stamoulis, K., Papanikou, M., & de Boer, R. J. (2020). Safety differently: A case
study in an aviation maintenance-repair-overhaul facility. MATEC Web of
Conferences, 314, 1002. https://doi.org/10.1051/matecconf/202031401002
Aviation is an industry heavily focused on safety. All work done has life or death
implications when aircraft leave the ground, and as such is highly regulated and
documented. In a safety conscious industry, MRO facilities ground zero for these
concerns. In this case study, researchers applied a bottom-up safety approach at MRO
facilities and documented the results. As it applies to operations, safety is a critical factor
not only for the obvious human factors, but also as it impacts the bottom line when
efficiency of teams, scheduling, operating costs, and other areas are taken into
consideration. In the final paper, this study will be used in a comparison and contrast to
the Duncan Aviation safety program to demonstrate ways Duncan upholds a high
standard of quality, customer satisfaction, and employee satisfaction.
Under, I., & Gerede, E. (2021). Silence in aviation: Development and validation of a tool to
measure reasons for aircraft maintenance staff not reporting. Organizacija, 54(1), 3-16.
http://dx.doi.org.ezproxy.liberty.edu/10.2478/orga-2021-0001
The silence of employees can be one of the biggest hurdles for operations management.
The main purpose of this research paper was to identify and develop a tool that could
measure the reasons aviation employees might be silent regarding safety issues they
witness or from accepting new safety proposals meant for their benefit. From an
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operations perspective, without the frontline information, it is hard to enact change. For
the purposes of the final paper, this tool will be analyzed for its potential applicability at
Duncan Aviation, or to compare and contrast with their current process, in the effort to
discuss process improvement.
Vargas, J., & Calvo, R. (2018). Joint optimization of process flow and scheduling in service-
oriented manufacturing systems. Materials, 11(9),
1559. https://doi.org/10.3390/ma11091559
Customer-oriented management of manufacturing systems is crucial in service-oriented
production and product service systems. The paper discusses process flow designs as they
apply to aviation MRO operations and facilitates a discussion of the trade-offs of cost,
service, and flexibility in the production system. As it pertains to operational
management, the design of the job process is vitally important to the success of an MRO
facility. The research will guide the discussion within the final paper as I look at the job
shop structure of Duncan Aviation’s process flow. The positives of how Duncan operates
and potential improvements based on this research will be outlined.
