Aviation Partners Inc.

Hawker 800SP with API winglets

Aviation Partners Inc. (API) is a Seattle-based private corporation that specializes in performance enhancing winglet systems. The corporation was founded in 1991.

History

API was founded in 1991 by Joe Clark and Dennis Washington, bringing together a team consisting primarily of retired Boeing and Lockheed engineers and flight test department directors. His design team was led by Dr. Louis "Bernie" Gratzer, who retired from Boeing that same year (after a distinguished career which included the aerodynamic design of the KC-135, 707 and 727) and immediately began with API, with title of senior vice president.[1]

Washington, a US entrepreneur who made his money from copper mining, was frustrated that his private jet could not fly coast-to-coast in the US without refueling. Instead of buying a new aircraft, he approached his friend Joe Clark who had experience in the aviation industry having co-founded Horizon Air. Clark calculated that by increasing the wings' performance, non-stop coast-to-coast flying would be possible.[2] Together with a group of aviation specialists, Clark developed a new winglet, and with permission from Gulfstream, fitted the winglet to Washington's jet. Test flights confirmed a fuel saving and range increase of 4-5%.[2] Washington and Clark then set out on a publicity campaign to sell the idea. They started setting a number of World Records in performance with the winglets.[2]

In 1997, API's winglets were sold as a standard fit on all Boeing Business Jets, and winglets were offered as an addition to standard 737s. Around 95% of all 737 customers want winglets fitted.[2]

An API blended winglet on a Boeing 737-800

Aviation Partners formed a joint venture with Boeing, called Aviation Partners Boeing (APB), in 1997. This entity licenses the Blended Winglet Technology for use on Boeing aircraft.[3] Starting with the Boeing Business Jet, winglets have been factory installed onto the Boeing 737 Next Generation as well as retrofitted on 737 ‘Classic’ and 757 airliners. Winglets are also available for the 767-300ER.[4]

In addition to the Boeing airliner programs, API has certified winglets for the Hawker 800 series jets and has over 100 Blended Winglet equipped Hawkers in service as of December 2008.

At EBACE 2007, Dassault Aviation, in conjunction with Aviation Partners, announced the Falcon 2000 LX aircraft. A derivative of the Falcon 2000 EX airframe, it is the first aircraft to be put into production with API's new High Mach winglets. The Falcon 2000-winglets received FAA certification on April 16, 2009 with the 900 series receiving certification in September 2011. Dassault and API also are developing winglets for the Falcon 50 series aircraft.

On December 17, 2008, Airbus announced it was to begin flight testing a new Blended Winglet design, developed by Aviation Partners, as part of a comprehensive A320 modernization program.[5]

By 2009, API's product had been introduced to the Boeing 757, Boeing 767, several Business Jets and a trial was being conducted by Airbus for use on the Airbus A320 family.[2]

Aviation Partners is currently developing the Spiroid winglet, a closed wing surface mounted at the end of a conventional wing. Initial testing using a Gulfstream II test aircraft has shown the winglet design to reduce fuel consumption in the cruise phase by over 10%.[6]

The Split Schimitar design as seen at Denver International Airport on a Boeing 737.

APB's Split Scimitar Winglet retrofit program consists of retrofitting 737NG's 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. This modification demonstrated significant aircraft drag reduction over the basic Blended Winglet configuration. FAA supplemental type certification for the 737-700, -800, and -BBJ is targeted for October of 2013. FAA certification of 737-900/900ER Split Scimitar Winglets is expected to follow by March 2014.[7] APB expects Scimitar Winglet Systems installed on a 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.[8] The first European Split Scimitar Winglets were installed on the TUI fleet aircraft in Stansted in 2014 by Chevron Technical Services Ltd.

References

  1. ↑ Bernie Gratzer died at his home near Seattle on 31 May 2014. He was 93. Aviation Week & Space Technology, 9 June 2014, p. 14
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 "API - Performance Enhancing Winglets" - Airliner World, March 2009
  3. ↑ Aviation Partners Boeing Official Website
  4. ↑ Winglets for Boeing 767-300ER at APB
  5. ↑ "Airbus undertakes Blended-Winglet evaluation on A320". 17 December 2008. Archived from the original on 21 December 2008. Retrieved 21 December 2008.
  6. ↑ "Blended Winglets and Spiroid Technology". aviationpartners.com. Retrieved 25 September 2009.
  7. ↑ "The Split Scimitar Winglets are already FAA and EASA approved for the 737-800/BBJ2, with STC anticipated on the remaining 737NG models (including BBJ and BBJ3) by year end." (from an API press release dated 19 May 2014, issued at the 2014 EBACE)
  8. ↑ "Aviation Partners Boeing Launches Split Scimitar Winglet Program". http://m.prnewswire.com. Retrieved 19 January 2013.

External links