United Airlines Airline Converts Options To Firm Orders For 135 Airplanes With The New Devices

Aviation Partners Boeing (APB) has formally launched the 737-900ER (Extended Range) Split Scimitar Winglet program with an order from United Airlines. 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" 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 improve fuel 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.

(Image provided by Aviation Partners Boeing)

FMI: www.aviationpartnersboeing.com