I've been tracking N37277 for over three weeks, waiting for a chance to catch it. That opportunity came at 9:33am local Vegas time Saturday morning.

The aircraft, a 12-year-old 737-800, was fitted with the new Aviation Partners Boeing winglets in May 2013 for Scimitar Winglet Testing. The first passenger flight involving this aircraft with the new winglets occurred in February 2014.

The new winglet uses the blended winglet structure, but adds new strengthened spars (the main structural part of a wing), aerodynamic scimitar tips, and a large ventral strake (an aerodynamic surface mounted under the fuselage to improve flight efficiency either by controlling the airflow or providing a stabilizing effect).

Since Aviation Partners Boeing launched the split scimitar winglet program last year, it has taken orders and options for 1,451 of the winglet systems. Aviation Partners Boeing is a joint venture between Aviation Partners Inc. and The Boeing Co. Alaska Airlines, Southwest Airlines, Aeromexico, United Airlines, and Sunwing Airlines are just some of the companies that have ordered the new winglet design.