Winglets Reduce Induced Drag Resulting In Performance Improvements

EASA approved Winglet Technology's STC  permitting the installation of the Elliptical Winglets on the Cessna Citation X business jet earlier this month. Cessna’s Wichita Service Center followed up the EASA approval with the delivery of the first European registered Citation X with Elliptical Winglets installed a few days later. This brings the total number of Citation X business jets to receive the Elliptical Winglet STC to 11 aircraft with 3 more aircraft currently being modified at Cessna’s Wichita Service Center.

Winglet Technology initially received FAA approval of the Elliptical Winglet STC in June 2009. Winglet Technology has previously received TCCA (Canadian) and ANAC (Brazilian) approval of the Elliptical Winglet STC for the Citation X. The STC includes updated AFM and Ops Manual Supplements along with an updated version of CESSNAV containing electronic versions of each for customers who have previously purchased the CESSNAV subscription from Cessna.

The patented Elliptical Winglet design is superior in many aspects to traditional winglet designs. The elliptical shape ensures the lift distribution of the wing closely matches optimum lift distribution along the span of the wing, which minimizes the induced drag produced by the wing. The resulting drag reduction translates into the following performance improvements for the Citation X business jet:

Improved hot day / high altitude takeoff performance

• Up to 4° C or 1,200 lbs for flaps 5 departures
• Up to 5° C or 1,270 lbs for flaps 15 departures

Increased range capability

• Up to 220 NM for 4 passengers, NBAA IFR reserves, ISA temperature
• Up to 550 NM for 4 passengers, NBAA IFR reserves, WAT limited take-off

Higher initial flight levels

• Direct to FL 430 @ MTOW and ISA +10 temperatures
• Direct to FL 450 @ MTOW and ISA temperatures

Reduced time-to-climb

• FL430 reduced from 137 to 37 minutes @ MTOW and ISA +10 temperatures
• FL450 reduced from 84 to 27 minutes @ MTOW and ISA temperatures

The Citation X has a top speed of .92 Mach, just under the speed of sound. Winglet Technology, LLC was founded in 2001 and received a U.S Patent for its unique Elliptical Winglet design in 2002.

FMI: www.winglet-technology.com