Story ID: 693
BLR to Enhance King Air Winglet STC
By: James Wynbrandt
Caption: FAA expected to approve amendment to company’s Ultimate Performance Package, designed for King Air 90s.
Word Count: 158

BLR Aerospace (Booth C041) announced here it is working with the FAA to amend its Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) to expand the performance envelope for King Air 90s equipped with BLR Winglet Systems; approval is anticipated by the end of June.

Under the amendment, BLR’s Ultimate Performance Package (UPP) STC would provide up to a 30 percent reduction in runway length requirements; an increase in max takeoff weight of 400 pounds/181 kilograms or 850 pounds/386 kilograms (depending on aircraft serial number); and a max landing weight increase of 210 lbs/95 kg or 692 lbs/314 kg.

The BLR Winglet System adds lightweight composite winglets and a small wing space extension, reducing drag and improving low-speed handling, while increasing both climb and cruise speeds. These performance enhancements “will provide access to more runways” and “increase the margin of safety, and improve virtually every aspect of King Air 90 flight,” said Mike Carpenter, president of the U.S.-based company.