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: