BLR Aerospace has received US Federal Aviation Administration and Brazilian ANAC certification for its Beechcraft King Air 90 series winglets, an upgrade the company says will provide an immediate performance boost and longer-term return on investment.

Before the March certification for the King Air 90, BLR had winglets available for the King Air 200, 200GT and 300-series twin turboprop, retrofits that BLR says are providing "100% return on investment" for owners of the more than 200 systems delivered to date.

"King Air operators can expect similar returns," says BLR.

Available for the King Air C90A, C90GT, C90GTi models, the new winglets are also provided as part of a King Air 90x upgrade package offered by Hawker Beechcraft for the King Air C90GTi.

Beachcraft King Air 90 with winglets 
 © BLR Aerospace

Along with improvements in stability, cruise speed and rate of climb, the winglets contribute to a maximum take-off weight increase of 175kg (385lb) to 4,760kg for the Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-135A-powered twin.

Depending on mission profile, BLR says its winglets can reduce fuel consumption by more than 5% in cruise and time to climb to 25,000ft (7,620m) by more than 10%. Additional benefits include reduced drag and improved handling qualities, all of which are a direct result of the winglets increasing the effective wingspan and aspect ratio of the wing and providing a "physical pressure barrier" that conserves lift, says BLR.

Source: Flight Daily News

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