Mon, Oct 19, 2009
Mods Now Underway At Wichita Cessna Service Center
Winglet Technology, LLC and Cessna Aircraft Company have begun
installing the 'world's fastest winglet' for the 'world's fastest
business jet!' Since receiving an STC for the installation of the
distinctive elliptical winglets from the FAA in June, five retrofit
kits have been installed on Cessna Citation X business jets at the
Wichita Cessna Service Center.
Winglet Technology has also received Transport Canada and ANAC
(Brazilian) approval of the STC and is pursuing EASA and Australian
approval, as well. The STC retrofit kit includes flight and
operations manual supplements along with an updated version of
CESSNAV for customers who have purchased that subscription service
from Cessna.
The Elliptical Winglet shape provides superior aerodynamic
performance across a broad range of mach numbers. The patented
shape ensures the lift distribution closely matches optimum lift
distribution along the span of the wing, which significantly
reduces the induced drag of the aircraft. The resulting drag
reduction enhances the overall operational performance for the
Citation X and provides the following performance benefits:
- Increased speeds at higher altitude
- Improved hot-day / high altitude take-off performance
- Increased maximum range capability
- Improved second segment climb performance
- Reduced time-to-climb
- Reduced fuel consumption
- Reduced direct operating costs
The Elliptical Winglet design is reported to be 'superior in
many aspects to traditional winglet designs.' It is structurally
efficient and the attachment of the winglet to the wing has been
designed to be interchangeable. The advanced composite structural
design is lighter weight, more damage resistant, and has superior
aerodynamic surface quality when compared to traditional metallic
structural designs.
Plans are underway to offer installation of the Elliptical
Winglet on the Citation X at all 9 Cessna owned Service Centers
located throughout the U.S. and in Europe. Cessna Team X and
Winglet Technology will provide technical support and Cessna Parts
Distribution will supply spares for Citation X's with the
Elliptical Winglets installed. The Citation X is currently the
world's fastest non-military aircraft with a top speed of .92 Mach
-- just under the speed of sound. The Citation X is the top of
Cessna's line of light and mid-size business jets.
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