Press Release
Issued by Winglet Technology.
October 16, 2009
Winglet Technology, LLC and Cessna Aircraft Company have begun installing the world's fastest winglet for the world's fastest business jet! Since receiving a Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) for the installation of the distinctive elliptical winglets from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in June, five retrofit kits have been installed on Cessna Citation X business jets at the Wichita Cessna Service Center.
Winglet Technology has also received Transport Canada and ANAC (Brazilian) approval of the STC and is pursuing EASA and Australian approval, as well. The STC retrofit kit includes flight and operations manual supplements along with an updated version of CESSNAV for customers who have purchased that subscription service from Cessna.
The Elliptical Winglet shape provides superior aerodynamic performance across a broad range of mach numbers. The patented shape ensures the lift distribution closely matches optimum lift distribution along the span of the wing, which significantly reduces the induced drag of the aircraft. The resulting drag reduction enhances the overall operational performance for the Citation X and provides the following performance benefits:
• Increased speeds at higher altitude
• Improved hot-day / high altitude take-off performance
• Increased maximum range capability
• Improved second segment climb performance
• Reduced time-to-climb
• Reduced fuel consumption
• Reduced direct operating costs
The Elliptical Winglet design is superior in many aspects to traditional winglet designs. It is structurally efficient and the attachment of the winglet to the wing has been designed to be interchangeable. The advanced composite structural design is lighter weight, more damage resistant, and has superior aerodynamic surface quality when compared to traditional metallic structural designs.
Plans are underway to offer installation of the Elliptical Winglet on the Citation X at all 9 Cessna owned Service Centers located throughout the U.S. and in Europe. Cessna Team X and Winglet Technology will provide technical support and Cessna Parts Distribution will supply spares for Citation X's with the Elliptical Winglets installed.
The Citation X is the world's fastest non-military aircraft with a top speed of .92 Mach, just under the speed of sound. The Citation X is the top of Cessna's line of light and mid-size business jets.
