SSJ100 aircraft with horizontal winglets (saberlets) has successfully accomplished a series of flight tests following the results of which Sukhoi Civil Aircraft Company has obtained a Major Change Approval from the Federal Air Transport Agency of the Russian Federation. First aircraft with the winglets has been delivered by SCAC to Severstal Aircompany (AC tail number is RA89135).

The main advantage of the aircraft with the winglets is a better economic efficiency. “SSJ100 Operators will achieve their fuel costs reduction by at least 4%. It’s important that the new development didn’t affect the mass of the aircraft as far as the winglets are made of composite materials. Apart from a lower fuel burn the installation of the winglets will improve the take-off and landing performance together with decrease of the environmental impact,” - explained SCAC's Deputy Director General for Development, Mr. Andrey Nedosekin.

“Today we opt for the state-of-the-art technologies contributing to the passengers comfort and safety, as well as to our financial efficiency. The retrofitted aircraft is more environment-friendly and it’s a benefit for us taking into consideration the expansion of international route network. Generally speaking, thanks to the fleet modernization Severstal’s employees and citizens of Cherepovets will experience greater comfort during their travels to the large cities and to the resorts in Russia and abroad,” - said the Director General of Severstal Aircompany, Mr. Nikolay Ivanovsky.

Horizontal winglets (saberlets) is an exceptional invention of SCAC’s design team who are continuously working towards the modernization and innovative development of SSJ100 Program together with the leading think-tanks, such as TsAGI. Name ‘saberlets’ comes from the word ‘saber’ due to the distinctive shape of the surfaces. Saberlets will be manufactured and installed at SCAC’s production facilities. Since Superjet 100 can be fitted with saberlets not only in series, but in operation as well, the airlines will be able to perform the retrofit themselves during regular maintenance under the Service Bulletins.

Horizontal winglets Major Change Approval obtained by the OEM allows for the deliveries of such aircraft to the Russian customers. The Service Bulletin covering the installation of saberlets on earlier produced aircraft has been already developed and issued by SCAC.