Aviation Partners is at Paris having passed the 100 shipset landmark for its blended winglet technology. Developed for the Gulfstream II and Boeing BBJ business jets, it is now being actively exploited on airliners. There is a growing view in the company that the environmental benefits could become a critical selling point for the technology.
In partnership with Boeing, Aviation Partners has secured certification for the technology from the FAA, JAA and LBA.
According to Aviation Partners Boeing, winglets reduce overall aerodynamic drag and fuel burn while improving aircraft performance. But it is the big environmental gain that could prove a winner.
European Next Generation Boeing 737-800 operator Hapag-Lloyd has ordered 26 shipsets for retrofit, while Air Berlin has ordered 16.
"A blended winglet-equipped airplane is aerodynamically cleaner so it flies more efficiently and uses its engines less than an aircraft without winglets. Engine noise, therefore, is reduced and engine emissions are down substantially," said Tom Vanderhoeven, Aviation Partners Boeing vice-president sales.
"In cruise, a 5% drag reduction translates into 5% less engine emissions. As drag/lift ratios are enhanced, a blended winglet equipped airplane climbs faster offering a 6.5% reduced noise footprint."
The certification programme is being extended to the Boeing 737-700 this summer with certification planned for the classic 737 aircraft later.
Joe Clark, Aviation Partners Boeing chief executive, says he believes that blended wing technology will be taken up by 65% of Next Generation 737s and 60% of classic 737s.
"We will sell out our entire Boeing 737 blended winglet production line this year and over the next 12 months we plan to do at least 100 Boeing 737 retrofit installations," he said.
Jan Inman, Aviation Partners Boeing vice-president programmes, taking up the environmental theme, says it is a major issue in Europe and is likely to grow in importance in the United States.
"At noise restrictive John Wayne airport in California, installation of blended winglets would take a Next Generation Boeing 737 from a category A to category AA. This could mean an additional 39 flights a day, which is extremely significant. "We can make a contribution to lower global fuel consumption, as well as lower engine emissions, as Boeing 737 fleets are retrofitted with blended winglet systems."
"We can make a contribution to lower global fuel consumption, as well as lower engine emissions, as Boeing 737 fleets are retrofitted with blended winglet systems."
Source: Flight Daily News
