High fuel prices are giving operators new motivation to add aftermarket winglets to airplanes without them. Here at NBAA’08, King Air 90 owners have one last opportunity to place pre-certification orders for Winglet Systems from BLR Aerospace (Booth No. 4066), according to Dave Marone, BLR vice president of sales and marketing. Certification is “imminent,” he said.

Everett, Wash.-based BLR Aerospace has delivered some 150 winglets to date for King Air 200s, 200GTs and 300s. The King Air 90 certification will apply to all C90s (LJ-589 and up) and E90s (LW-26 and up) and all King Air GT and GTi models.

“With increasing fuel prices and economic pressures, winglets are a solid financial decision,” said Marone. “Customers benefit from immediate increases in asset value and ongoing reductions in direct operating costs.” Among the financial benefits are possible tax deductions, 100-percent return on investment (as documented in the Aircraft Blue Book) and a reduction in fuel consumption of up to 3.5 percent.

Performance improvements include increases in cruise speed of three to six knots and rate of climb from 300 to 400 fpm, reduced drag and improved handling characteristics.

According to BLR Aerospace, its Winglet Systems are available from a worldwide dealer network, including many Hawker Beechcraft Services authorized locations.