Aviation Partners Boeing Achieves a Milestone and Sets the Stage for Additional Blended Winglet Programs

The FAA has awarded Aviation Partners Boeing a STC for Performance Enhancing Blended Winglet Technology for the Boeing 757-200.

"From an airline perspective, this is our most significant Blended Winglet program ever and it's the first application of Blended Winglet Technology for long-range commercial airliners," says Aviation Partners Boeing Chairman Joe Clark.

"The typical 757-200 operator will save over 150,000 gallons of fuel per aircraft per year with our Performance Enhancing Technology and benefit from a 200 nautical range boost to better serve evolving long-haul, point-to-point, markets."

"Market interest in this program has been unprecedented," says Aviation Partners Boeing CEO Mike Marino. "The 757-200 is a very popular aircraft that has been coming up in value lately. More and more airlines are looking to increase the utilization of one of the most efficient aircraft ever designed on a cost per seat basis."

Launch customer, and partner in 757-200 Blended Winglet certification, Continental Airlines has 11 Blended Winglet shipsets on order for delivery this year plus options to convert the rest of their fleet. Icelandair has ordered 7 shipsets with options for 15 additional shipsets and two corporate 757 operators recently inked orders for Blended Winglet Systems.

"Aviation Partners Boeing is the world's leading winglet technology group and interest in the new 757-200 Blended Winglet Program has exceeded our expectations," says Aviation Partners Boeing Vice President of Sales Patrick LaMoria.

"Our experience has taught us that "seeing is believing" when it comes to certifying and marketing a technology as revolutionary as Blended Winglets. With the certification process now complete, we expect our order book to fill up quickly."

"We will be certifying significantly higher gross weight takeoff capabilities to allow Blended Winglet Enhanced 757s to depart up to 14,000 pounds heavier," says Aviation Partners Boeing Vice President Programs Jay Inman. "This, combined with boosted range and dramatic fuel savings, will be of tremendous value to 757 operators worldwide."

Blended Winglets are now certified for the Boeing 737-700, 737-800, 737- 300, and 757-200 series aircraft. Next on Aviation Partners Boeing's to-do list are Blended Winglets for the 737-600, 737-900, and the first application for a wide-body aircraft, the 767-300ER.

FMI: www.aviationpartnersboeing.com