Matilainen
June 24, 2000 at 3:41 pm

Winglet

Could somebody be so kind and explain how those winglets work? I read the Gulfstream story and there was mention that winglets creates more range. Many modern aircraft seems to have winglets so that made me think about this.

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By: willy - 20th October 2000 at 19:12

RE: Winglet

hi philB, i’m a pilot on 747-400s and i have also had a spell flying the classics and i can tell you no matter what the books/ web sites tell you winglets do very little indeed, except to say at low speeds esp. on approaches. if anyone has any questions please e-mail me.

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By: Arabella-Cox - 24th June 2000 at 19:57

RE: Winglet

The basic principle is that winglets reduce drag and thus increase fuel efficiency and therefore range.

The air at the end of the wing is turbulent and causes large vortices, winglets smooth these out.

There are wing shapes which have the same effect. Boeing states that the 777 wing does not need winglets as its shape at the tip is profiled to do the same job – necessary because Boeing offer the 777 with folding outer wings, though no-one has yet taken up the option.

For some excellent papers on winglets go to http://www.google.com/ and use the search facility typing in winglets.