BLR Aerospace announced that it has delivered its 500th winglet system. The buyer of the 500th system is the FAA, which is also the company’s largest customer. In May the FAA ordered BLR Aerospace LED-light-equipped winglets for its fleet of 18 Beechcraft King Air 300s. The FAA’s first winglet-modified King Air 300 is already flying, and the FAA is currently installing the winglets on its third King Air 300. The FAA King Air 300s are used to flight check navaids, airport lighting and IFR approaches.

BLR Aerospace (Booth No. 3566) has certified winglets for most models of King Airs, and they are standard equipment on new King Air 90GTx and 250 models. According to BLR, the winglets reduce fuel consumption by an average of five percent as well as improve handling and safety. Also available is the King Air B200GT Ultimate Performance Package, which adds BLR winglets and other modifications for improved runway performance and an increase in maximum Mach operating speed.

The BLR King Air winglets increase aircraft wingspan by three feet, five inches and reduce induced drag by increasing the wing’s aspect ratio.