Story ID: 
King Air 300 winglets get FAA approval
By: Mary F. Silitch
Caption: BLR Aerospace has received an STC from the FAA for its King Air 300 winglet system, the company announced here at NBAA’06.
Word Count: 178
BLR Aerospace has received an STC from the FAA for its King Air 300 winglet system, the company announced here at NBAA’06. First deliveries of the winglets are expected to begin next month. David Marone, director of sales and marketing for BLR, said,  “When we released the King Air 200 system at NBAA last year, the King Air 300 operators made it clear that they, too, wanted a winglet system–and here it is.” 

According to BLR, winglets increase cruise speed by five to eight knots, reduce fuel consumption by 3.5 percent and increase rate of climb by 300 fpm. Additional benefits cited are reduced drag, improved handling qualities and easy access to RVSM (reduced vertical separation minimums) flight levels. 

BLR (Booth No. 4031) also announced that it is offering optional de-ice boots that will extend de-icing coverage to the leading edge of winglet-equipped King Air 200s.

Winglets are available from a number of U.S. dealers and from Beechcraft Sales & Service in Germany and NAC in South Africa.