737-300 Gets Blended Winglets

Aviation Partners Boeing's much-anticipated Classic Series 737 Blended Winglet(TM) Program received FAA certification on May 30th, and the first installed shipset was delivered to Air Plus Comet, under lease from Aircraft Leasing Management, on June 8. With over 25% of all Next Generation 737-700s and 800s currently equipped with Blended Winglets, Aviation Partners Boeing Aerodynamic Enhancement Technology is already having a huge impact on airline productivity.

 
"Over the past couple of years more than 280 Boeing 737-700s/800s have been upgraded to Blended Winglet Technology. With our new Classic Series 737 Blended Winglets, we anticipate extensive market penetration to an existing fleet of 1069 Boeing 737-300s and 481 Boeing 737-400s," said Aviation Partners Boeing Vice President of Sales Sheldon Best. "Given current economic conditions, Classic Series 737s are being kept in service longer. Blended Winglet Technology pays off, year after year and for the life of the aircraft, in fuel savings, performance improvements and environmental benefits."

Big Bang for the Bucks

Performance benefits of Blended Winglet Technology are particularly dramatic for the Classic Series 737 explains Aviation Partners Boeing CEO Mike Marino. "The total block fuel savings benefit of a 737-300SP is up to 4.5%, about half a percent better than we've achieved with Next Generation 737s. The average Classic Series 737-300, flying 2900 hrs per year with 1.5 hour average stages, will save over 65,000 gallons of fuel per aircraft per year."

Boeing explains that Blended Winglet Technology offers a multitude of operator advantages beyond simply improving range and saving fuel. Environmental benefits of a Blended Winglet equipped aircraft, include reduced noise on takeoff and landing, decreased engine emissions in flight and reduced engine maintenance requirements. Blended Winglets give aircraft a high-tech look which can translate into image and marketing advantages for the operator.

When you see Blended Winglets on a commercial or business aircraft you know that it's been aerodynamically upgraded, it's more productive and it's more environmentally friendly.

 "Blended Winglets are truly revolutionary in terms of added productivity," says Aviation Partners Boeing Board Chairman Joe Clark. "With the world airline fleet racking up 100,000 flight hours each day it behooves us to expedite the emergence of Blended Winglet Technology so that more aircraft operators can start sharing in the benefits."

FMI: www.aviationpartnersboeing.com; www.aircomet.com