BLR Aerospace has received FAA certification of a King Air 200 series STC increasing maximum take off weight (MTOW) up to 14,000lb when the aircraft is fitted with BLR winglets, high flotation landing gear and a Centex Halo 275 STC (SA11103SC). The same STC increases MROW to 13,420lb if the aircraft has a Centex Halo 250 STC (SA11103SC) applied.

With this STC, operators with PT6A-42 and PT6A-52 engines can now take advantage of certified performance up to the Centex Halo STC-certified gross weight limits. Performance data is published in the new accompanying Airplane Flight Manual Supplements (AFMS).

The advantages of the STC for aircraft include significant reductions in ground roll and take off distances; improvements in stall speeds; and general improvements in low-speed handling for the higher weight. BLR winglets with their FAA-approved King Air AFMS have always provided performance improvements that significantly improve take off and climb performance.

Additionally, a new AFMS received FAA approval that extends BLR winglet performance to include B200 and B200C aircraft operating with high float landing gear. This move expands the winglet performance benefit currently enjoyed by King Air 250/260 models to earlier models of the aircraft. This change gives operators the full range of available benefits in the form of certified performance charts, maximising the value of their winglet investment.

“BLR's focus remains on providing the most benefit to customers who install our winglets on their aircraft,” says president Mike Carpenter. “These expansions of configuration capability and increased flexibility, while allowing customers to continue to reap the full climb rate and stability they rely on from their winglet installations, are just our latest delivery on that promise.”