Aviation Partners Boeing (APB) (Seattle) today announced it has launched its new Split Scimitar Winglet program with an order from United Airlines (Chicago).  Using a newly patented design, the program will consist of retrofitting existing Boeing Next Generation 737 Blended Winglets by replacing the aluminum winglet tip cap with a new aerodynamically shaped “Scimitar” ^TM winglet tip cap and by adding a new Scimitar tipped Ventral Strake. This revolutionary design was flight tested by Aviation Partners, Inc. in 2012 and demonstrated significant aircraft drag reduction over the basic Blended Winglet configuration.

APB has identified eight unique Boeing Next-Generation 737 configurations that will be considered for possible certification by the FAA; these include:  the structurally provisioned and non-provisioned 737-700, 737-800, 737-BBJ, the structurally provisioned 737-900 and the 737-900 ER. The initial FAA certification program will be for retrofit conversion of Blended Winglets on 737-800 aircraft that were delivered with wings structurally provisioned for Blended Winglets at time of delivery from the Boeing Next-Generation 737 production line (line numbers 778 and on). FAA supplemental type certification is targeted for October of this year. FAA certification of 737-900 ER Split Scimitar Winglets is expected to follow by March 2014.

United has either been the launch customer for, or otherwise ordered, Blended Winglets for every Boeing commercial aircraft type for which APB offers a winglet system, in chronological order this includes the:  757-200; 737-800; 737-700; 737-900; 737-900 ER; 737-500; 737-300; 757-300 and the 767-300 ER. APB estimates that, once Split Scimitar Winglets are installed, APB winglet technology (Blended and Split Scimitar) will save United more than $250 million per year in jet fuel costs fleet wide.

APB expects Scimitar Winglet Systems installed on a provisioned 737-800 to save the typical airline more than 45,000 gallons of jet fuel per aircraft per year resulting in a corresponding reduction of carbon dioxide emissions of 476 tons per aircraft per year. The fuel savings can enable a 737-800 to increase its payload up to 2,500 pounds or increase its range up to 75 nautical miles.  APB also expects to certify an improvement in low speed performance that will generate significant take-off benefits from high/hot or obstacle limited runways.

Nearly 5,000 Blended Winglet Systems are now in service with over 200 airlines in more than 100 countries. APB estimates that Blended Winglets have saved airlines worldwide more than 3.5 billion gallons of jet fuel to-date.

Aviation Partners Boeing is a joint venture of Aviation Partners, Inc. and The Boeing Company.

Image: PR NewsFoto/Aviation Partners, Inc. Concept image for Aviation Partners Boeing’s new Split Scimitar Winglet program for retrofit on the Boeing 737-Next Generation Fleet. The program consists of replacing the aluminum winglet tip cap with a new aerodynamically shaped Scimitar(TM) winglet cap and adding a new Scimitar-tipped Ventral Strake to existing Blended Winglets. The revolutionary design was created to further enhance airliner fuel efficiency while reducing carbon emissions. FAA certification is expected in late 2013 for launch customer United Airlines.

United Airlines: