Amerijet International, the Miami-based cargo airline, has ordered the Quiet Wing System developed by DuganAir Technologies for its fleet of 14 727-100/200s.
The Amerijet deal takes the number of Quiet Wing Systems on firm order to 34, with options for 41 more in 1999. DuganAir, which refuses to comment on the Amerijet selection, says only that interest in the noise solution has "jumped by leaps and bounds". The Seattle-based company has partnered with Kelowna Flightcraft of Canada to perform initial conversions, although the Amerijet aircraft are believed to be heading to the Pemco Modification Center for conversion.
The Quiet Wing System allows 727-100 and -200 to meet Stage 3 without hushkits by incorporating a series of aerodynamic modifications. As well as the inclusion of winglets, the package involves a flap and aileron droop system and the removal of the centre engine thrust reverser.
DuganAir says the conversion improves the performance of the 727, rather than degrading it which is the common penalty for conventional engine hushkitting.
Source: Flight International
