- #1
Cyrus
- 3,238
- 16
I found this cool little page on winglets, but I haven't had time to read it yet:
http://www.b737.org.uk/winglets.htm
http://www.b737.org.uk/winglets.htm
Stopping mechanics falling off the ends of the wingsherpamad said:When i was young i noticed a B727 with winglets and thought it was some sort of coolness statement, years later i realized what they was really there for.
mgb_phys said:Stopping mechanics falling off the ends of the wings
Winglets are small, upturned structures on the tips of aircraft wings. They help to reduce drag and improve fuel efficiency by reducing the wingtip vortices that are created by the difference in air pressure between the upper and lower surfaces of the wing.
By reducing drag, winglets help to increase an aircraft's range, improve climb performance, and reduce fuel consumption. They also improve stability and control during flight, especially during turns.
While winglets have become more common in recent years, the concept has been around since the early 1900s. However, it wasn't until the 1970s that they became more widely adopted in the aviation industry.
No, not all aircraft have winglets. They are more commonly seen on larger commercial aircraft, but some smaller aircraft may also have them. The decision to install winglets on an aircraft depends on the type of operation, route, and expected fuel savings.
Yes, winglets can be retrofitted onto existing aircraft. This process involves adding the winglet structure and making necessary modifications to the wing. However, not all aircraft are suitable for retrofitting and it can be a costly process.