Winglet Technology has confirmed performance improvement of its new Citation Sovereign elliptical winglet and is moving into fabrication of the first production unit to support certification flight testing. The Wichita-based firm has filed an application and certification plan for its winglet design on the Sovereign and expects to begin certification flight testing and wing structural testing in March. Certification and entry into service are anticipated in the third quarter of 2016.
The company completed 70 hours of back-to-back winglet-on and winglet-off high-speed tests for cruise performance and handling qualities of a Citation Sovereign last summer. The tests confirmed a 26-knot speed increase at FL470; direct climb to FL450 at a one-percent higher takeoff weight in less than 26 minutes; and a 205-nm range increase for payloads less than 1,120 pounds and 305-nm increase for payloads exceeding 1,495 pounds.