Benefits of the winglet:
1. Fuel efficiencies three to four times greater than traditional winglets
2. Better performance at high altitude airports on hot days
3. Increase in the allowed maximum no fuel weight of the aircraft
4. Lower operating costs
5. No need for wing structural reinforcement yields shorter install times
6. Reduced fatigue on the wings 7. Greater stability in turbulence 8. Greater range and endurance
Sandpoint connection and staffing
Tamarack has a relatively small staff that consists of engineers, administrators, and production staff. All employees live in the greater Sandpoint area, including Rathdrum, Coeur d’ Alene, and Priest River.
Cox said that there are many aerospace companies popping up in the region, including Quest Kodiak, Empire Airlines, Aerocet and more,“ There is a niche that has developed in Sandpoint.” He said when extra engineers or pilots are needed, they are easy to find.“ When we need to pick up manpower, there are a handful of local people to call on,” he added.
In fact, there are many pilots working at Tamarack— including owner Guida, who is FAA-licensed to fly the Cessna business jets that Tamarack upgrades. Cox said that there are four employees with a pilot’ s license.
The ability to fly is not only a personal passion for many employees, but it is important to their ability to demonstrate company flight testing, and to
obtain data for analysis. Cox said,
“ Flight tests for credit require a designated engineering representative— they fly the plane with us when we do it for credit.”
The Sandpoint Regional Airport, where they fly, caters to private planes and pilots. Cox said,“ Lots of people travel through here for ski vacations in winter and for summer outings. There are some celebrities that come through … like country singer Dierks Bentley, that fly CJs.” Cox added that there are pilots that want to fly a jet, and a Cessna is a common plane for them to buy and fly into small, private airports like Sandpoint. He added,“ The CJ3 is one of the most common single pilot planes.”
In addition to having pilots on staff, a company like Tamarack also needs engineers.
They have picked up two aerospace engineers from Montana State University in Bozeman, and one from University of Idaho. They try to recruit from local colleges and universities.
24 NORTHWEST AEROSPACE NEWS