Jul 15 2008
First Blended Winglet delivered for the Boeing 767-300ER/F GKN Aerospace has now delivered Blended Winglets for the certification flight tests to Aviation Partners Boeing, in support of their launch customer American Airlines' fleet of 767-300ER aircraft.
This 767-300ER/F contract with Aviation Partners Boeing has involved the design and development of an 11 ft tall winglet and will include manufacture of some 450 ship sets, with forecast peak production of up to 16 ship sets per month.
Marcus Bryson, Chief Executive Officer, GKN Aerospace states: "Our successful development and delivery of the first composite Blended Winglets for the B767 is a significant milestone for our business as it grows in the fast-evolving winglets market.
We are one of the world's leading producers of aerospace composite structures today - pioneering new, automated manufacturing processes that will speed and improve composite manufacture."
Blended Winglets are demonstrating substantial environmental and performance benefits for aircraft operators, typically providing a valuable 6% block fuel saving, along with important emissions reductions and payload and range improvements. Consequently, many airlines are now undertaking winglet retrofits across their aircraft fleets.
This multi-year winglet agreement, finalised with APB in April 2007, covers winglets for the Boeing 767-300ER/F, as well as the manufacture and supply of 200 Boeing 737-300/500 Blended Winglet aircraft sets, each of these winglets being 7ft tall. The Company delivered the first 737 winglets in December 2007, from its site on the Isle of Wight, UK
- where all GKN winglet manufacture will take place.