New Winglet Design On BBJ

Boeing Business Jets brought an aircraft to NBAA in Las Vegas that looks a little unusual, but may become a common sight at airports everywhere. The aircraft is fitted with Split Scimitar Winglets from modification shop Aviation Partners. The winglets have an upswept section that has a curved pointy tip and another shorter section angled downward. Joe Clark, CEO of Aviation Partners, told a news conference in Las Vegas that the winglets give at least a 2.5 percent boost in range over conventional winglets in testing. That's an additional 200 miles on the BBJ. Clark said there have been 733 sales so far to airlines for retrofitting their newer Boeing 737s.

Meanwhile, Boeing Business Jets President Capt. Steve Taylor says the company would like more business but it's happy with its position in the market. The company dominates the large business jet market and has sold 211 BBJs since 1996. By the end of the year, the company will deliver its first BBJ based on the 787-8 and it's now supervising the completion of four 747-8 business aircraft. Those airplanes offer 5,000 square feet of floor space on two floors with up to 14-foot ceilings in some sections of the aircraft. By 2018, BBJs based on the 737 MAX will be delivered.