More than half of the world’s turboprop airplanes are King Airs, which makes the popular Beech line a vast market for the winglets being offered by BLR Aerospace of Everett, Wash.
Don’t expect to get a set on your King Air very soon, however, unless you plan to get them from Elliott Aviation or Cutter Aviation.
It seems that Elliott and Cutter – unrelated companies – each placed orders for 90 sets of BLR’s King Air winglets at about the same time. That’s the entire BLR production planned for the next two years, according to Bob Desroche, president.
Winglets for the King Air 90, 200 and 300 series increase airspeed, reduce fuel burn and provide 300 to 400 fpm faster rate of climb to the King Air FL350 service ceiling, BLR advertises. They also reduce drag and improve handling, the company adds.
Elliott plans to offer the winglets in conjunction with its RVSM certification, according to that company’s CEO, Wynn Elliott.
BLR’s King Air 200 and 300 winglets cost $54,950 before installation and 90-series winglets run $39,950, also before they’re unpacked. So far, BLR has sold more than 100 sets, which are approved both by United States and European aviation authorities.
Other BLR products include vortex generators, wing tip tanks and aft body strakes for fixed wing aircraft and helicopters.