Why Winglets? Performance is Only Part of the Story

Business jet owners and operators are constantly seeking incremental advantages, improvements that boost performance, reduce operating costs and enhance resale value. In recent years, one of the most effective yet understated upgrades in this pursuit has been the installation of Blended Winglets.

Originally introduced on some business jets in the 1970s, winglets have become increasingly common on both business and commercial jets. In the early 1990s, Aviation Partners improved the science of winglets with their patented Blended Winglets. These are available for many legacy Falcon and Hawker jets, where they have proven to be more than just aerodynamic accessories.

From extended range to fuel efficiency and even reduced emissions, Blended Winglets offer a wide spectrum of benefits that savvy owners are recognizing as both operationally and economically, not to mention aesthetically, compelling.

With benefits stacking up on each flight, the move to Blended Winglets is one with clear advantages for the aircraft owner.

“In talking to our operator community, we often hear aircraft owners never regret getting winglets – only that they wish they had done so sooner,” said Gary Dunn, President of Aviation Partners, the company that helped advance the industry with its first Blended Winglets in the early 1990s. 

A Proven Way to Go Farther on Less Fuel

At its core, the winglet’s purpose is to reduce induced drag, the swirling vortices that form at the wingtips during flight and sap energy from the aircraft. By curbing these vortices, winglets improve the efficiency of the entire wing. For operators flying long-range missions, this translates directly to fuel savings and increased mission flexibility.

Falcons equipped with Blended Winglets, for example, see up to a 7% increase in range at Long Range Cruise speeds or a 5% increase at Mach 0.80. While this might sound modest, on a mission that reaches the limit of the current airplane, the added range is not just a technical achievement, it opens up city pairs that were previously out of reach. Many routes can be completed with greater confidence and more available alternates.

Hawkers have similar coast-to-coast benefits in the U.S., while providing additional city pair flexibility for operators in regions such as Africa. Pilots can fly at M.75-.76 at the same fuel burn as M.73, which equates out to about 15-18 knots faster, reducing annual direct operating costs by flying some mid-to-long range missions in less time.

These savings are even more meaningful on overwater flights and in less-populated regions, where alternate airports are sparse and reserve fuel requirements are strict. The extra fuel margin provided by lower fuel burn increases the aircraft's safety buffer and adds mission flexibility – a valuable asset when operating across the North Atlantic or into regions with variable weather and limited infrastructure.

More Altitude, Less Time

One of the lesser-discussed benefits of Blended Winglets is their impact on climb performance. Aircraft equipped with Aviation Partners’ winglets typically reach cruising altitude up to 25% faster. This improvement isn't just about speed; it directly enhances passenger comfort by moving the aircraft above turbulence and adverse weather more quickly. A smoother ride at higher altitudes isn’t merely a perk, that’s one of the reasons travelers choose business aviation.

In addition, winglet-equipped Falcons and Hawkers are capable of achieving a higher initial cruise altitude, up to 2,000 feet higher in many cases. This can reduce or eliminate the need for step climbs on longer flights, keeping the aircraft in more efficient airspace for a longer portion of the mission and further compounding fuel efficiency. For the Hawker, Blended Winglets also allow departure from high-altitude airports on hot days with up to 1,500 pounds more takeoff weight. 

Leading Edge of Sustainability

As sustainability becomes a growing concern in aviation, winglets offer a straightforward and practical way to reduce emissions without altering operations or purchasing new aircraft. Every pound of jet fuel burned creates approximately 3.155 pounds of carbon dioxide. By improving aerodynamic efficiency and reducing fuel burn, winglets directly cut the carbon footprint of each flight.

While Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) is still in the early stages of adoption and electric propulsion remains on the horizon, winglets are a proven, immediately available technology that contributes to greener aviation. Over the lifespan of a business jet, these emissions savings can be substantial, particularly for high-utilization aircraft flying 300 or more hours annually.

For companies and individuals looking to align their operations with sustainability goals, winglets provide a measurable reduction in emissions without compromising performance or requiring regulatory navigation. It's an easy-to-implement win in an increasingly sustainability-conscious sector. Winglets are a key component in helping the industry hit its net-zero 2050 goal.

Upgrading Visually and Financially

Blended Winglets don't just perform; they also project an image. On the ramp, winglet-equipped Falcons and Hawkers look modern, sleek and more aligned with the design language of next-generation aircraft. For owners, that aesthetic advantage translates to a stronger first impression, which is an intangible asset when hosting clients, stakeholders or charter passengers.

More tangibly, the enhanced appearance and proven performance benefits of winglets also impact the aircraft's bottom line when it's time to sell. Highly respected brokers in the pre-owned aircraft industry agree that Falcons and Hawkers outfitted with Blended Winglets not only command higher prices, but they also sell more quickly than their non-winglet counterparts.

In an aircraft resale environment where differentiation matters, having a winglet-equipped jet signals that the aircraft has been thoughtfully maintained and upgraded. For brokers and owners alike, it's one of the clearest signs of added value that doesn't require guesswork or justification – it’s built into the specs and the market’s response. 

Easy to Retrofit

One of the most important aspects of the winglet discussion is that these benefits come through retrofit, not replacement. Aviation Partners has certified Blended Winglet systems for a range of Falcon and Hawker models. Installation can be completed at authorized service centers globally, often aligned with major inspections or downtime periods.

Winglet retrofits also don’t require fundamental changes to how the aircraft is flown or maintained. They integrate seamlessly with existing structures and systems, allowing crews to operate the aircraft as they normally would, with the added benefit of improved performance across the board.

Designed, Tested and Certified

Aviation Partners has spent decades refining the aerodynamics behind its Blended Winglet technology. Each retrofit program goes through extensive computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis, and flight testing to ensure the product delivers not just on paper, but in the air.

Their patented Blended Winglet design, characterized by a smooth, curved transition between the wing and the winglet, differs from other designs seen elsewhere. This design minimizes interference drag and maximizes the lift-to-drag ratio, giving operators a performance gain that’s greater than the sum of its parts.

Aviation Partners’ engineering team also ensures that winglet modifications meet or exceed all FAA and EASA certification requirements. Although retrofitting winglets does add weight to the aircraft, it doesn’t reduce payload and is always more than offset by the reduction in fuel needed for any given mission. The winglets, and the way they are integrated into the existing aircraft structure, are designed for longevity and durability, requiring little to no additional maintenance burden over time. 

Looking Ahead

The business jet world is one of continuous refinement. Owners and operators are always balancing performance, efficiency, appearance and long-term asset value. Blended Winglets stand out in this space not just because they offer across-the-board benefits, but because they deliver them through a single, elegant modification.

As more business jet owners aim to optimize existing assets rather than pursue new aircraft, especially in a competitive pre-owned market, investments such as winglets become even more attractive. In a landscape filled with high-tech upgrades and complex avionics, winglets remain one of the simplest and smartest ways to boost aircraft performance.