FACC Delivers 7,500th Winglet Set to Aviation Partners
Aerospace component manufacturer FACC AG has delivered its 7,500th set of fuel-saving winglets to customer Aviation Partners. This milestone underscores FACC's expertise in lightweight aerospace components and its long-standing partnership with the US-based firm.
FACC AG, an Austrian manufacturer of advanced aerospace components, has reached a significant milestone by delivering the 7,500th set of winglets to its long-term customer, Aviation Partners. This delivery marks a key achievement in the 15-year collaboration focused on the development and production of these aerodynamic devices that enhance fuel efficiency and reduce environmental impact.
Winglets are designed as curved extensions at the wingtips of aircraft to reduce drag, thereby improving aerodynamic performance, fuel economy, and lowering emissions. FACC, a specialist in fiber composite materials, manufactures these high-tech components for various aircraft types, including the Boeing 737NG and 757, as well as business jets like the Dassault Falcon and Beechcraft-Hawker.
The partnership with Aviation Partners, the inventor and marketer of "Blended Winglets", began in 2002. Robert Machtlinger, CEO of FACC, stated that the continuous collaboration has established FACC as a globally recognized winglet specialist. Through ongoing innovation, these components are estimated to have contributed to saving approximately 25 billion liters of fuel.
FACC is also actively researching future technologies such as "morphing structures." These adaptive structures are designed to dynamically adjust their shape according to flight conditions, aiming to further optimize aerodynamics, reduce noise, and improve load distribution. A prototype of an actively controlled winglet utilizing this technology has successfully completed wind tunnel tests and is currently under customer evaluation.