AVIATION PARTNERS, a Seattle-based company producing a blended-winglet conversion for the Gulfstream II, hopes to attract new sales for the aircraft in 1996 on the back of better-than-expected hot-and-high performance from the modified wing.
The company says that "hidden advantages" of the drag-reducing winglet modification are emerging with operations into high-altitude airfields and are attracting fresh interest from GII owners, some 30 of which have already had the winglets fitted.
Analysis of GIISP performance at Toluca, Mexico, a hot-and-high airfield 8,400ft (2,560m) above sea level, suggests that the modified aircraft is capable of additional take-off weight, or of 1,460km (790nm) extra range.
According to Martin Pina, who operates a GIISP for Washington-based Trillium, "...the cut-off temperature out of Toluca to Los Angeles in a straight-wing GII [without winglets] is about 13-14¡C. With the IISP, we can depart at 5¡C higher temperatures." Crews also report that second-segment climb performance is "at least" 10% better, initial cruise altitude is 2,000ft higher and single-engine performance is "...dram-atically enhanced."
Aviation Partners expects to fit another two shipsets of winglets shortly. "We have between another five and seven 'hot prospects' from the 27 interested GII operators looking at the system right now," says marketing vice-president, Dick Friel.
Source: Flight International
