(Geneva, Switzerland – May 12, 2012) – Aviation Partners, Inc. (API) announced that the first Falcon 50 equipped with Blended Winglets has arrived in Geneva and will be on static display at the 12th annual EBACE convention. The aircraft is taking a break from Winglet certification flight testing, which started just a few weeks ago, to make its debut here at the show.
The Winglets for the Falcon 50 Series are “High Mach” Blended Winglets – this revolutionary new design is optimized for higher cruise speeds. The Winglets provide a drag reduction, and corresponding range increase, of 5 percent at Mach .80 and more than 7 percent at Long Range Cruise (LRC). In addition, retrofit Winglets for the Falcon 50 series (the same API-designed Winglets as those installed by retrofit on Falcon 900 and 2000 series airplanes, and by Dassault on the factory 900LX and 2000LX models) will reduce operating costs and carbon emissions, and provide a dramatic visual enhancement.
“Immediately after EBACE we will return to certification flight testing, with FAA STC anticipated in lateJuly and EASA approval expected shortly thereafter,” Said Gary Dunn, API VP, Sales & Marketing, “We have already seen significant interest from Falcon 50 owners and have started taking orders for early post-certification installation slots”.
The aircraft arrived in Geneva from Seattle’s Boeing Field with a stop in Keflavik. Pilots Dave Hurley, Bo Corby and John Reinhold reported a significant improvement in initial cruise altitude and fuel burn on the initial (longer) leg of the trip. The 3,129 nm trip from KBFI to BIKF was completed in 7h 49m at average M .73 and a cruise altitude of FL410; the Falcon landed in Iceland with 2,090 lbs of fuel.
“We are excited to be showcasing the rebirth of the Falcon 50 here at EBACE. Blended Winglets make one of the greatest business jets ever produced even better,” Said Joe Clark, API founder and CEO, “Between Blended Winglets and the other modern upgrades available for the 50 we expect to see this airframe around for a very long time to come.”
Installation of Falcon 50 Winglets will be available through API’s current network of authorized installers in the US, Europe and Asia later this summer. For more information on current and future Winglet products visit API at EBACE stand 128, at the static display, or contact Gary Dunn at media@winglets.com or .
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