MEBA10: Mid-East showing interest in Falcon 900 winglets

The firm has taken firm orders for 10 shipsets, following the announcement that it would offer retrofitted winglets two months ago at the NBAA Convention.

API said it expects more orders before the end of 2010. The company anticipates Falcon 900 winglet certification in March 2011; the pre-STC kit price is US $575,000.

The blended winglets for the Falcon 900 series aircraft are similar to those currently certified for the Falcon 2000 series, both as an API STC for in-service aircraft and incorporated in-production by Dassault on the Falcon 2000LX/900LX. API is also working toward certification of winglets for the Falcon 50 series in quarter three 2011.

“We have seen tremendous early demand for winglets from the Falcon 900 operator community and expect delivery slots to be booked through to the end of 2011 prior to certification; in fact this upgrade could quickly become our most successful business jet winglet program based on the interest we have seen to date,” said Gary Dunn, API vice president of sales.

“The increased range afforded the 900 series by blended winglets will be very attractive for aircraft in the Middle East and we have already seen interest from several operators in the region.”

Winglets for the three major Falcon families are “high mach” variants optimised for cruise speeds of mach .80 and higher. On the Falcon 2000 series aircraft the winglets provide a drag reduction of five per cent at mach .80, and more than seven per cent at long-range cruise, with the same incremental improvement expected on 900 and 50 series aircraft.

This drag reduction will provide a corresponding range increase on all models.

“It is very bright for the future,” said Joe Clark, API founder and CEO. “These aircraft are built so well, and last so long, that companies who make continuous improvements to them by adding blended winglets will enhance their productivity and add value.”