Certification Testing Will Follow For Elliptical Wingtip Devices

Wichita, Kansas-based Winglet Technology has begun fabrication of the first production Citation Sovereign winglet to support certification flight testing.  With the delivery of the first elliptical production winglet, Winglet Technology is positioned to start certification flight testing and wing structural testing in March of 2016.  Winglet Technology completed high speed performance testing of the Cessna Citation Sovereign business jet equipped with its elliptical winglet design last August.  Winglet Technology flew approximately 70 hours of back-to-back winglet-on and winglet-off high speed cruise performance and handling qualities flight testing. 

Flight testing has confirmed a 26 KTAS speed increase at FL470, direct climb to FL450 at a 1% higher take-off weight in under 26 minutes, and a 205 NM range increase for payloads under 1,120 lbs and a 305 NM increase for payloads over 1,495 lbs.  “Extensive back-to-back flight testing confirmed anticipated performance benefits.” said Bob Kiser,  President and Managing Member of Winglet Technology, LLC. “Our elliptical winglet design is a great high altitude compliment to the Sovereign’s outstanding short field performance that provides operators with even greater operational flexibility.”

The Sovereign upgrade will provide higher maximum cruise speeds at high altitudes, greater range for a given payload throughout the operating envelope, and higher weight / altitude / temperature (WAT) limits allowing more flexibility when operating from high / hot airports, improved climb performance that allows higher initial cruise altitudes.  The elliptical winglet upgrade will include a 1% gross weight increase and increase the Sovereign’s wingspan from 63’ 4” to 69’ 6”.

Winglet Technology submitted an application and certification plan for FAA Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) project to the FAA and has received go-ahead for the STC project from the Wichita FAA Aircraft Certification Office (ACO).  Winglet Technology is targeting entry into service during the third quarter of 2016.

Winglet Technology was granted an FAA Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) to install their elliptical winglet design on Cessna’s Citation X in July of 2009.  Cessna Aircraft Company has made the elliptical winglet design standard for its larger, faster upgraded version of the Citation X+ beginning with delivery of aircraft S/N 750-0501.

(Image provided with Winglet Technologies news release)

FMI: www.winglet-technology.com