Tag Archives: Aviation Partners Boeing

Aviation Partners Boeing receives FAA certification for its Split Scimitar Winglets

Aviation Partners Boeing (APB) (Seattle) has announced it has received Supplemental Type Certification (STC) from the FAA for Split Scimitar Winglets to be installed on Boeing 737-800 aircraft. According to the company, “the Split Scimitar Winglet program is the culmination of a five-year design effort using the latest computational fluid dynamic technology to redefine the aerodynamics of the Blended Winglet into an all-new Split Scimitar Winglet. The unique feature of the Split Scimitar Winglet is that it uses the existing Blended Winglet structure, but adds new strengthened spars, aerodynamic scimitar tips, and a large ventral strake.”

APB will develop and certify the Split Scimitar Winglet modification for all of the Boeing 737-700, 800 and 900 series aircraft including Boeing Business Jets. APB expects to start certification flight testing on the 737-900ER in mid-February achieving certification by late July 2014.

APB’s Split Scimitar Winglet program is the most successful product launch in its history. Since launching the program early last year, APB has now taken orders and options for 1,461 Split Scimitar Winglet systems. Over the last 10 years, APB has sold more than 7,000 Blended Winglet Systems. 5,300 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 4.1 billion gallons of jet fuel to-date thus eliminating over 43 million tons of carbon dioxide emissions.

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

Copyright Photo: PR Newswire. United Airlines‘ Boeing 737-824 N37277 (msn 31595) is the test and certification airplane. United put the first aircraft with Split Scimitar Winglets into revenue service of February 18, 2014 between the Houston (Bush Intercontinental Airport) hub and Los Angeles as flight UA 1273.

United Airlines:

Southwest Airlines to add Split Scimitar Winglets to its 85 Boeing 737-800s

Aviation Partners Boeing (APB) today announced that Southwest Airlines (Dallas) has ordered Split Scimitar Winglets for its Boeing Next-Generation 737-800 aircraft. APB’s newest program is the culmination of a five-year design effort using the latest computational fluid dynamic technology to redefine the aerodynamics of the Blended Winglet into an all-new Split Scimitar Winglet. The unique feature of the Split Scimitar Winglet is that it uses the existing Blended Winglet structure, but adds new strengthened spars, aerodynamic scimitar tips, and a large ventral strake. APB looks forward to receiving FAA certification for Split Scimitar Winglets later this month.

By upgrading its Boeing Next-Generation 737-800s with Split Scimitar Winglets, APB estimates that Southwest will increase its annual fuel savings of approximately three percent per aircraft from Blended Winglets to approximately five percent per aircraft annually with the Split Scimitar Winglet upgrade. In addition to lowering Southwest’s fuel costs, the Split Scimitar Winglet will reduce emissions, supporting Southwest’s commitment to efficiency and to the Planet.

Southwest’s order of 85 Split Scimitar Winglets allows the airline to retrofit the 52 Boeing 737-800s currently in its fleet, in addition to the 33 Boeing 737-800s the airline expects to be delivered in 2014. Pending FAA certification, Southwest Airlines plans to begin Split Scimitar Winglet retrofits at Aviation Technical Services, based in Everett, Washington, in the first half of 2014, with an expected completion of all retrofits by early 2015.

APB’s Split Scimitar Winglet program is the most successful product launch in its history. Since launching the program early last year, APB has now taken orders and options for 1,451 Split Scimitar Winglet systems. Over the last 10 years, APB has sold more than 7,000 Blended Winglet Systems. Over 5,100 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 over 4 billion gallons of jet fuel to-date.

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

Southwest in its advertisements is helping the public correlate the wing “doohickeys” with reduced costs which lead to lower fares. Now they will have “super doohickeys”:

Copyright Photo: Bruce Drum/AirlinersGallery.com. The current Boeing 737-800 fleet has the Aviation Partners Boeing Blended Winglets. They will be replaced with the new model. Boeing 737-8H4 N8309C (msn 36985) taxies to the gate at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.

Southwest Airlines:

Video:

Alaska Airlines orders 111 firm Split Scimitar Winglet Systems for its new Boeing 737s

Aviation Partners Boeing (APB) today announced the order of 111 firm Split Scimitar Winglet Systems for Boeing Next-Generation 737 aircraft by Alaska Airlines (Seattle/Tacoma). APB’s newest program is the culmination of a five year design effort using the latest computational fluid dynamic technology to redefine the aerodynamics of the Blended Winglet into an all new Split Scimitar Winglet. The unique feature of the Split Scimitar Winglet is that it uses the existing Blended Winglet structure, but adds new strengthened spars, aerodynamic scimitar tips, and a large ventral strake.

“We expect Split Scimitar Winglets to be certified and enter revenue service by the end of this year; having Alaska Airlines, our hometown partner, be one of the very first airlines worldwide to feature Split Scimitar Winglets is extremely gratifying and a testament to our long term partnership,” said Patrick LaMoria, Aviation Partners Boeing chief commercial officer.

Alaska Airlines has been a model of success in the airline industry and is known for embracing innovative technology to improve its customers’ experience. Alaska expects the incremental fuel savings from APB’s latest drag reducing technology will add another 58,000 gallons of annual fuel savings per aircraft per year. Once all their Next-Generation 737-800s, 737-900s, and 737-900 ERs are fitted with Split Scimitar Winglets, Alaska estimates that it will save another $20 million in annual fuel costs. These fuel savings will also translate into an environmental benefit by reducing Alaska Airlines CO2 output by more than 68,000 tons per year.

Aviation Partners Boeing’s Split Scimitar Winglet program is the most successful product launch in its history. Since launching the program early this year, APB has now taken orders and options for over 766 Split Scimitar Winglet systems. Over the last 10 years, APB has sold over 7,000 Blended Winglet Systems. 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 nearly 4 billion gallons of jet fuel to-date.

Production Schedule:

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

Image: Alaska Airlines.

Alaska Airlines:

Video: A Split Scimitar Winglet is being tested on an United Airlines Boeing 737-800 at Moses Lakes, WA. The 737-800 has been flying since July 2013 with this new enhancement.

Copa Airlines orders Split Scimitar Winglet Systems for its Boeing 737s

Aviation Partners Boeing (APB) (Seattle) has announced the order of up to 100 Split Scimitar Winglet Systems for Boeing Next-Generation 737 aircraft by Copa Holdings, S.A. (Copa Airlines) (Panama City). This program is the culmination of a five year design effort using the latest computational fluid dynamic technology to redefine the aerodynamics of the Blended Winglet into an all new Split Scimitar Winglet. The unique feature of the Split Scimitar Winglet is that it uses the existing Blended Winglet structure, but adds new strengthened spars, aerodynamic scimitar tips, and a large ventral strake. This advanced technology winglet is the ultimate winglet in terms of performance, without increasing existing wing span.

Since launching the program early this year, APB has now taken orders and options for over 550 Split Scimitar Winglet systems. Over the last 10 years, APB has sold over 7,000 Blended Winglet Systems. 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 3.9 billion gallons of jet fuel to-date.

Images: Aviation Partners Boeing.

Copa Airlines:

Aviation Partners Boeing launches 737-900 ER Split Scimitar Winglets with order from United Airlines

Aviation Partners Boeing (APB) (Seattle) has announced it has formally launched the 737-900 ER (Extended Range) 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.

In January 2013, APB launched the Split Scimitar Winglet program for the provisioned 737-800 with an order from United Airlines. FAA supplemental type certification for the Boeing 737-800 is targeted for October of this year with EASA certification planned within the following two months. Certification flight testing of Split Scimitar Winglets on the 737-900ER will follow closely behind and is scheduled to begin in November with FAA supplemental type certification targeted for late February 2014.

APB is targeting 6 additional Boeing Next-Generation 737 configurations for possible certification; these include: the structurally provisioned (line number 1545 and on) and non-provisioned (pre-line number 1545) 737-700 and BBJ1, the non-provisioned (pre-line number 778) 737-800, and the structurally provisioned (line number 778 and on) 737-900.

“United Airlines continues to lead the way in adapting its fleet to be as fuel efficient and eco-friendly as possible,” said Aviation Partners Boeing executive vice president and chief commercial officer Patrick LaMoria. “United’s relentless drive to improvefuel efficiency is the perfect complement to APB’s focus on continuous innovation. We are once again very excited to launch another new program with United.”

“We are always looking for opportunities to improve the fuel efficiency of our fleet. The Next-Generation 737 Split Scimitar Winglet will provide a natural hedge against rising fuel prices while simultaneously reducing fuel consumption and carbon emissions,” said Ron Baur, United’s vice president of fleet. “We are pleased to build on our commitment to the Split Scimitar Winglet as the launch customer for the new 737-900ER winglet program and appreciate APB’s focus in helping United become even more fuel efficient.”

APB expects Split Scimitar Winglet Systems installed on a Boeing 737-900ER to save United Airlines over 57,000 gallons of jet fuel per aircraft per year resulting in a corresponding reduction of carbon dioxide emissions of over 600 tons per aircraft per year. The fuel savings can enable a 737-900ER to increase its payload up to 3,300 pounds or increase its range up to 60 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 3.7 billion gallons of jet fuel to-date.

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

United Airlines:

United Airlines becomes the first customer of Aviation Partners new Boeing’ new Split Scimitar Winglet

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.

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:

China Southern Airlines orders Blended Winglets for the next 55 Boeing 737NGs

China Southern Airlines Boeing 737-81B B-5113 (msn 34250) (Michael B. Ing), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.

China Southern Airlines (Guangzhou) has ordered Aviation Partners Boeing Blended Winglets for its future Boeing Next Generation 737 deliveries. The order will provide for winglet installations on 55 aircraft delivering between 2011 and 2015. This is APB’s largest winglet order to-date in China.

Thomas Cook Airlines (UK) adds its first Boeing 767-300 with Blended Winglets

Thomas Cook Airlines (Thomas Cook.com) (Manchester) has added Aviation Partners Boeing Blended Winglets to its Boeing 767-31K ER G-TCCA (msn 27205).

Finnair Technical Services to add Blended Winglets to Condor’s 13 Boeing 757-300s

Finnair Technical Services (Helsinki) has completed the installation of Aviation Partners Boeing Blended Winglets to the first Condor Flugdienst (Frankfurt) Boeing 757-300. 757-330 D-ABOE (msn 29012) is pictured being towed today (November 22) to engine run-up area at Helsinki.

The scheduled departure will be tomorrow afternoon. Finnair Technical Services will install the winglets on all 13 Condor Boeing 757-330s. A second aircraft arrived at HEL on Friday evening (November 20) and a third will arrive tomorrow (November 23).

Vision Airlines adds Blended Winglets to 737-8Q8 N781VA

Vision Airlines (North Las Vegas) has added Aviation Partners Blended Winglets to its first Boeing 737-800. Ex-Sterling 737-8Q8 N781VA (msn 28214, ex OY-SEB) was leased on March 25, 2009. It is now based at Miami for the Cuban charter program.