Avionics technicians at Duncan Aviation’s facility in Battle Creek, Michigan, are working on their fourth installation of a Bongiovi Aviation audio system. This latest installation is for a Gulfstream G450. The others – all completed in 2021 – were for a Falcon 7X, a Gulfstream G550 and a Falcon 900EX.
The system is designed to produce an immersive, high-fidelity audio experience throughout the aircraft. It features patented signal-processing technology combined with speakerless transducers that are mounted behind the ceiling and sidewall panels.
The specification of the Bongiovi system came about as a result of customers hearing the system. Earlier in 2021, avionics sales representative Mike Morgan walking through the hangar at the Battle Creek site with customers who were there with their Gulfstream G550, which was slated to input in March 2021 for some avionics upgrades.
“As we discussed the work on the aircraft, the techs were running sound tests on the transducers in the headliner for the Falcon 7X,” said Morgan. “The headliner was draped over a bench, so it hadn’t even been installed yet, but the sound was that impressive. When the flight department of the G550 heard it, they wanted to know all about the Bongiovi system. They then changed their plans to simply repair an obsolete CMS and instead install an entirely new CMS so they could also get the Bongiovi Aviation audio system.”
Prior to installing the audio system in the Falcon 7X, Ritchie Peterson – avionics modifications specialist II at the Battle Creek facility – went through training and is now a certified, Bongiovi-trained installation technician. Although he’s gone through a lot of training over his years at Duncan Aviation, Peterson was impressed with the Bongiovi engineers’ professionalism and attention to detail.
“They care just as much about quality as we do at Duncan Aviation,” said Peterson. “They know they have a superior audio product, but the sound can be compromised if it’s not installed properly. That’s why I had to go through training, and I’m glad I did. It’s an impressive system with amazing sound, so I want to make sure we get everything right for our customers.”
