The modification increases the aircraft's lift-to-drag ratio by relocating the aft segments of the airplane's trailing edge flaps, aft and below their standard locations when the flaps are retracted. The result is an increased wing area, increased airfoil camber, and a lengthened wing chord.  The inherent induced drag of both the wings and horizontal stabilizer are reduced by the change, AeroTech says.

The "low-cost" modification kit has an average ROI (return on investment) of 12-15 months, AeroTech claims, assuming an average fuel burn of 5,000 pounds per hour, and a "conservative" three-percent fuel-burn reduction. The kit can be installed in approximately 300 man hours, which means it can be done during regular maintenance visits, the Reno, Nevada-based company says.  11-12-2007.