ORLANDO, FLORIDA — The Idaho-based American aerospace company Tamarack aims to apply its current winglet design to the previous generation Airbus A320s, which has the potential to reduce aircraft's fuel consumption by 15 percent.


Smartwing is a composite wing extension developed to improve the lift force of the wings. Tamarack initially created it for the Cessna Citation Jet family aircraft and then installed it on the Beechcraft King Air. The company now sees potential for a larger jet-engined aircraft.

"Scaling up the technology is not rocket science," said Nick Guida, founder, and chief executive, during the NBAA business aviation show that is being held on 18 - 20 October in Orlando, Florida.

Tamarack's adaption of the structure for the A320ceos features a 1.8 meters (6 feet) extension to each wing, plus a 2.4 meters (7.9 feet) high winglet installation. These dimensions are subject to modification if required by the customers.


The company plans to launch the flight testing phase with an A320ceo over the next 12 months and expects to obtain supplemental-type certification within two-three years.

Tamarack predicts a potential fuel consumption reduction of around 10 to 15 percent, counting on the operational conditions of the plane. The company will market its upgraded design via a joint venture consisting of aerostructure suppliers, MRO providers, and aircraft leasing companies.

Guida says Airbus's participation in the project is not required at this stage.

"Once the consortium is built, we expect to be able to go back to Airbus with more firepower, and we will have a better chance of talking to them," Guida added.

The European planemaker already has its own winglet design as an A320ceo upgrade option for the customers.