A multi-engine, instrument rated pilot, James Wynbrandt has been an AIN and Business Jet Traveler contributor since 2003. His in-depth reporting and insightful features have won more than a dozen editorial honors, including two National Business Aviation Association Gold Wing Awards (2019; 2021), and his articles have also appeared in the New York Times, Barron’s, Fortune, Forbes, and Smithsonian Air &amp; Space. He has flown his Mooney M20K 252 on assignments throughout North and Central America and the Caribbean. Wynbrandt is also the author of Flying High (Wiley &amp; Sons), a biography of Jet Blue founder David Neeleman, as well as histories, references works, and books on a variety of other topics from major publishers. He lives in New York City.

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James Wynbrandt

U.S. completion and MRO specialist GDC Technics (Stands 1130, 1756; Pavilion 12) announced at the Dubai Airshow winning a demonstration contract from the U.S. Air Force Lifecycle Management Center (AFLMC) for an advanced wingtip technology solution for the C130J and C-5. The award stems from a GDC presentation made in partnership with the Aircraft Performance Company (APC) at the AFLCMC Pitch Day in Dayton, Ohio in the U.S. earlier this month.

 


The advanced wingtips “will significantly improve the performance of the C-5 and C-130J, while decreasing fuel consumption of the aircraft,” said&nbsp;GDC Technics CEO Brad Foreman. “No structural modification is required to the wing, which makes this solution quick and easy to install.”

 


The wingtip is currently in flight test&nbsp;on an A330, and the company expects FAA and EASA certification in early 2020. No monetary figures or timeline for the contract were disclosed.

 


“We’ve completed successful simulation and wind-tunnel testing on multiple civilian and military platforms, and we are eager to serve the U.S. Air Force with this solution,” said Mohammed Alzeer, APC chairman, adding that he foresees the wingtips “spanning business, commercial, and military aviation.”&nbsp;

 


Meanwhile, GDC also said at the show that it had signed a letter-of-intent with Air India Engineering Services "with the aim of forming a long-term strategic alliance partnership to pursue MRO and modification opportunities for both the country's flag carrier, Air India, and other commercial aircraft throughout the region."

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