Aviation Partners (API) tapped West Star Aviation’s facility in Chattanooga, Tennessee, as an authorized winglet installation center for Dassault Falcon 50, 900, and 2000-series jets. The company’s facilities in East Alton, Illinois, and Grand Junction, Colorado, already serve as authorized installation centers for API on the same models. The addition of a third facility in Chattanooga reflects West Star’s continuing expansion of its installation capabilities.

“API’s winglet installation relationship with West Star goes back almost 20 years, starting with the Hawkers at Grand Junction in 2004, and more recently the Falcons at East Alton in 2010,” said Aviation Partners president Gary Dunn. “We look forward to many more years of this great partnership, offering expanded slot availability to our mutual customers, as we bring Chattanooga online.”

API winglets for Falcon aircraft offer increased range—up to 5 percent at Mach .80 and 7 percent at long-range cruise—and improved climb, including higher initial cruise altitude and faster time to climb. West Star and API estimate that winglet installations will take about five business weeks to complete.

The addition of blended winglets has gained popularity at the time of aircraft ownership change, as new owners can take advantage of post-acquisition downtime and financing. Other owners opt for the modification during C-checks, dry bay mods, avionics upgrades, interior refurbishment, or as a stand-alone project.