Boeing has fitted the first production Aviation Partners-designed winglets to a Next Generation 737. The aircraft is a Boeing Business Jet (BBJ), on which they will be standard fit.
The winglet-equipped BBJ will be used in supplemental type certification flight tests starting this month. The tests are expected to generate performance improvement data for the BBJ and other 737 versions, including the -800, which will be the first of the commercial models to be offered with the 2.4m (7.9ft)-tall winglets.
Interim test data from pre-certification airworthiness check flights supplied to Flight International indicate block fuel savings of up to 3.8% on a 5,100km (2,750nm) leg, or 3.6% on a 1,850km flight for the -800. Range increases by 230km, or maximum take-off weight limit rises by 450kg (990lb). Fuel capability limit rises by 2,720kg. Improved hot-and-high take-off performance ranges from 1,090kg at Denver at 30í C, to 1,540kg at Mexico City in the same temperature conditions.
Source: Flight International
