“The design and development of this winglet has involved the full expertise of our team. We are commencing now on a production programme that will continue beyond the end of the first quarter of this century.”
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| Phil Swash, CEO – Europe & Special Products Group, GKN Aerospace |
Delivery of the composite winglets follows a three-year design, test and initial manufacturing programme. This minimised winglet weight and complexity and maximised aircraft fuel efficiency through improved design, manufacture and assembly, reports GKN Aerospace.
The winglets will make an important contribution to the Bombardier CSeries aircraft’s targets in relation to fuel burn, emissions, range and performance, GKN explains. Winglets reducing wing drag to bring significant fuel savings to aircraft − with consequent reductions in aircraft emissions and improvements in payload and range.
The CSeries aircraft will serve the 100-149 seat market. It is scheduled to enter service in 2014. Composites are used in the wing, empennage, nacelle and rear fuselage.
Read about the use of composites in the CSeries aircraft here: Bombardier throws down the gauntlet with CSeries airliner.