Aviation Partners Blended Winglet Technology revolutionizes performance of corporate and airline transports; 40 systems installed to date.

SEATTLE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 28, 1996--"One day soon it's going to be unusual to see a straight-wing GII anywhere," says Aviation Partners CEO, Joe Clark.

"We plan to enhance the remainder of the fleet with Blended Winglets and to extend the benefits of our Advanced Winglet Technology to a broader section of the business and commercial aviation market."

Seldom in aviation history has an aerodynamic enhancement been so successful. Aviation Partners Blended Winglet program for the Gulfstream II has been a runaway success story with 40 aircraft performance enhanced to date. By reducing drag, Blended Winglets ($457,000 installed) increase fuel efficiency 7.3 percent and boost range 200 nm for cruise between Mach .74 and Mach .80. Associated benefits include enhanced climb performance, improved low-speed handling characteristics, better resale value, a sleek modern profile and greater margins of safety.

"It's truly amazing what a difference a pair of wide-sweep Blended Winglets can make to the aerodynamic performance and fuel efficiency of any aircraft," says Aviation Partners vice president sales, Dick Friel. "We gave the GII fleet a wake-up call with our state-of-the-art Blended Winglet technology."

Aviation Partners Blended Winglet equipped IISPs are now a common sight on FBO ramps throughout North America. Among current IISP operators are the U.S. Presidential Fleet, Hilton Hotels, Television Azteca, Motorola, Sequent Computer Systems, Clay Lacy Aviation, John Travolta and Disney's Earth Star division.

"While last year's IISP World Speed Record to the Paris Air Show was a highly visible affirmation of Blended Winglet technology, the real records are being broken every day in normal IISP operations," says Clark. "We're pleased with the market acceptance of our winglet technology. What's perhaps most gratifying is that 100 percent of our operators are vocal and enthusiastic about the performance benefits they're enjoying."

Blended Winglets make the GII a better long range aircraft with enhanced overall performance and a better return on investment according to IISP operators:

"Winglets make our GII a valuable and cost-effective aircraft for our long haul missions," says Sequent Computer Systems CEO, Casey Powell. "Investing in winglets saved us from the much more expensive option of trading up to a GIIB or GIII."

"Our IISP is a practical one-stop aircraft to and from Spain out of Mexico City," says TV Azteca's captain, Guillermo Jimenez. "We get the full advertised half-hour extra range with Blended Winglets."

"The added range is a plus but the real benefit of the Blended Winglet System is in improved performance and better overall operating characteristics," says Trillium Corp. chief pilot, Ken Hopke, who routinely flies his IISP into South America. "I really feel good flying with these winglets -- they improve safety margins."

Advanced Winglet Technology Leader

With an established track record in North America, Aviation Partners is at Farnborough to show the international aviation community the benefits and possibilities of Advanced Blended Winglet design. Contact Joe Clark during the show (or at the Lanesborough Hotel 011.44.171/259-5599) to learn how Aviation Partners Performance Enhancement Systems, which so dramatically improves the Gulfstream II, hold intriguing and profitable applications for other aerodynamic transformations.

"Anything you can do to enhance the value of an aircraft by improving its performance is a wise investment," says Clark.

Patent No. 5348253

CONTACT: Aviation Partners

Dick Friel, 206/762-1171

Fax: [phone]

Joe Clark, 011.44.171/259.5599