Tamarack has working to optimize the design of their Active Winglets over the last several weeks, and they have collected a vast amount of flight test data in the process. Tamarack has been predicting that their prototype Active Winglet™installation for their CitationJet would reduce the time to climb to maximum altitude by about ten minutes, and all of the testing they have done so far has confirmed that. For example, the following plot of altitude versus time from a recent flight made from Sandpoint, ID (click the graph to view in full screen):
The plot above presents the data Tamarack took onboard the plane, as well as data from the published flight planning and performance handbook for comparison. It’s quite a difference. The aircraft took off at Maximim Take-off Weight (10,400 lb) from a field elevation of approximately 2,000 feet, with a surface level temperature of -10°C, and reached 41,000 feet in 24 minutes, 45 seconds.
By the book, the same climb in the same conditions would take just over 36 minutes in an unmodified CJ (the book doesn’t present values for that temperature, so Tamarack engineers made some extrapolations). Calculated fuel burn was approximately 415 lb during the climb to 41,000 feet. By the published flight planning data, the same climb in an unmodified CitationJet would require approximately 500 lb of fuel (again making some extrapolations for temperature). According to Airnav.com, the average price for Jet-A nationwide is $5.61. In other words, they were able to save $71.17 with their Active Winglet™ installation during the climb to 41,000 feet. That’s definitely worth considering if you regularly fly a CitationJet and prefer to operate at higher altitudes.
In the coming weeks, Tamarack will expand on their climb performance findings. They also plan to publish some of their preliminary cruise performance data. Expect to see a lot more of their flight test data as they continue to test and validate.
Premier Jet’s Citation CJ Plus will include Tamarack Active Winglets, an all new Garmin G1000 cockpit upgrade with WAAS, plus new paint and interior. This offering will provide a very attractive, capable and technologlically current aircraft at a highly competitive price point. An additional plus will be continued excellent support from the Cessna Service Center orginization. The CJ Plus announcement may be viewed via the following link: http://jetav.com/premier-jets-cj-plus-features-tamarack-winglets/
To request more information on Premier Jet’s Citation CJ Plus, or to subscribe to program updates, please send an email to jhall@jetav.com.