Air New Zealand first 767 winglets fitted.

[Joseph Saragozza.]

browsing through the net as you do and i came across this image of Air New Zealand first B767 ZK-NCG fitted with winglets.

it is interesting to notice how the logo has been applied to it unlike the other winglets on various aircraft throughout the fleet.
http://www.jetphotos.net/viewphoto.php?id=6611666

what are your thoughts?

[BradR]

Looks alright.

Probably quite prescient of NZ to order the winglets given they will be holding onto their 763s a lot longer now the 789 has be pushed out until 2013-14.

Brad

[phil.l]

Reported that it arrived HAECO Hong Kong sat 11 July for fitting of winglets, departed 12 July.

[Sam Chui]

A picture by Colin Hunter from NZ of the arrival scene

[Tim Bowrey]

Originally Posted by phil.l

Reported that it arrived HAECO Hong Kong sat 11 July for fitting of winglets

I think it was out of service alot longer than 2 days Phil. My mate from AKL said to ferried over there more than 2 weeks ago from memory. Dont quote me on it though.

[phil.l]

Tim you seem to be right, ZK-NCG arrived for maintenance at HAECO on June 8 and seen with winglets 8 july, probably test flown and seen on the 11 July by someone else.

[Stuart Trevena]

Hi,

If the winglets reduce fuel burn by even 4-5%, do you think Qantas will follow suit, given the delays to the B787 Program?

Stuart

[David Ramsay]

Media release from NZ

Arrival of new winglets in New Zealand

13 July 2009

Air New Zealand's first Boeing 767-300ER aircraft fitted with new blended winglets is due to land at Auckland International Airport this morning.

The airline estimates that it will save more than six million litres of fuel and 16,000 tonnes of carbon emissions annually with the installation of the new performance-enhancing blended winglets on its fleet of Boeing 767 aircraft.

The blended winglets, which have been developed by Aviation Partners Boeing, are 3.4 metre high wing-tip devices. They make the aircraft's wing more efficient by reducing drag, increasing lift and significantly improving fuel use and reducing emissions.

Air New Zealand General Manager Airline Operations Captain David Morgan said the installation of the blended winglets are part of Air New Zealand's on-going drive to be the world's most environmentally sustainable airline.

"Air New Zealand has been at the forefront of finding ways to minimise our environmental impact, examining every aspect of our flight operations to reduce carbon emissions by saving fuel. "

In addition to significant fuel savings and reduction in carbon emissions, the blended winglets provide additional commercial benefits for aircraft operating services on longer sectors including enabling the aircraft to climb faster and improving payload performance.

"In parallel we've also begun installing Zonal Dryers on our 767 fleet with this aircraft the first to have the system installed," says Captain Morgan.

The electrically-powered dryers, designed by CTT Systems in Sweden, reduce moisture trapped in the insulation between the aircraft's outer-skin and the cabin lining. They will remove around 200kgs of water from each aircraft, reducing weight, fuel consumption and most importantly reducing carbon emissions.

Each passenger exhales around 100 grams of water an hour and the cold outside temperatures at altitude generate significant condensation which is retained in the aircraft insulation.

"Through this environmental initiative we estimate the zonal dryers will save an additional 320,000 litres of fuel and 800 tonnes of carbon emissions annually across the fleet of five 767 aircraft," says Captain Morgan.


Ends

Issued by Air New Zealand Public Affairs

[Mike W]

Wow, the plane looks awesome (as do Austrian's and others) but especially with the Koru painted on them as well.

I agree with Andrew, I think for the best to be had from the winglets, longer flights are the go and that is the case with NZ, not so convinced with QF. It would be great if they did none the less.

BTW, what's the go with Jetphotos and those pop-ups? Even with pop-up protection. Usually I stay away from that site due to the annoyance but the Air NZ 767 proved worth an exception. Nice shot.

[BradR]

I doubt QF would be interested in the winglets given their 763s spend most of their time flying at comparatively low speeds between MEL, SYD and BNE.

Plane Talking on Crikey today has another report on the condition of QF's 763s. QF cannot afford the bad PR of keeping these ageing aircraft for too long. QF experienced this to a smaller degree with the 743s and everyone remembers how AN suffered as their 762s aged. If QF cannot replace their 763s with 787s they will need to look at a combination of A332s and 738s or maybe 739ERs.

Brad