King Air winglet flight testing under way

Boundary Layer Research, the Everett, Wash. company that developed winglets for the Beech Duke some 10 years ago, is now designing winglets for King Air 200s and 300s. A prototype has been flying since late last summer. An announcement sent in December to King Air operators to gauge their interest in such a modification garnered an “overwhelming” response, claimed company president Bob Desroche. He said winglets will improve the speed, handling and fuel economy of  the big turboprop twins. Lead engineer for the King Air winglet project is Mike Carpenter, who recently joined Boundary Layer Research after serving as president and COO of Raisbeck Engineering, the Seattle-based company known for its modifications for King Airs and other business aircraft. An STC for the King Air winglets is expected by the NBAA Convention this October in Las Vegas. Pricing and installation downtime were still being determined at press time.