Eco-Aviation Channel

Winglets take flight

Eco-Aviation Today, April 10, 2009, p.7

American Airlines operated the first flight with a 767-300ER equipped with Aviation Partners Boeing Blended Winglets between Dallas/Fort Worth and London Heathrow last month. According to APB, the efficiency gains to be provided by the winglets could save 500,000 gal. of fuel per aircraft annually, which equates to a savings of 29 million gal. and 277,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions per year for AA's fleet of 58 767-300ERs.

At 11 ft. high, the winglets are the largest ever designed by APB. Alternatively, they provide 360 nm. of additional range or allow an extra 12,000 lb. of payload. AA is installing them at its Kansas City base and anticipates completing the project by 2011. It already has installed APB blended winglets on its 124 757s and 77 737s. Other airlines that will install winglets on their 767s include Air New Zealand, Hawaiian Airlines, Delta Air Lines, ANA and LAN.

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