Winglets on aircraft increase efficiency by reducing drag and vortices, improving safety and reducing noise. They were first experimented with in the late 1800s and began to be added to production aircraft in the 1970s. Winglets can be added later by aviation repair facilities.
A winglet is a device on the wing of an aircraft that is designed to increase the operational efficiency of the aircraft. The fins consist of angled projections at the end of the wing. The precise size and angle vary, depending on the aircraft, and the flaps may be installed during manufacture or added later. Some companies offer planes with and without spoilers, allowing people to choose which option they prefer when they order. Facilities that specialize in aviation repair and maintenance can make modifications to add winglets.
The science behind the wing dates back to the late 1800s, when people experimenting with the physics of flight noticed that angled projections on a wingtip could increase efficiency. Various experiments with winglets on various aircraft took place during the 1900s, and in the 1970s, winglets began to be added to production aircraft. Today, they can be seen on aircraft of all sizes along with gliders and other aircraft. It is important to note that winglets can change performance slightly, and pilots should be alerted to this to compensate with some aircraft.
The use of winglets adds thrust and decreases induced drag, reducing the amount of power required to get and keep an aircraft airborne. Winglets also reduce vortices that form behind the wingtips of an aircraft. While these vortices may not be a problem for the aircraft, if another aircraft crosses the path of disturbed air in a vortex, it may experience turbulence, creating unsafe conditions. Therefore, the use of winglets improves the safety of other aircraft, especially around areas like airports that see a lot of air traffic.
There is another advantage to the winglet: it reduces the noise produced by the aircraft. In areas with noise abatement laws or noise concerns, such devices may be highly appreciated because they reduce sound. While the sound from an individual aircraft may not be reduced that much, when this is multiplied across a fleet it can make a significant difference. This has made the winglet popular in communities near airfields and airports.
When designing new aircraft, engineers play around with various wing configurations to find the most appropriate angle and size for the aircraft they are designing. People who are interested in seeing how winglets change flight dynamics can try testing winglets on model airplanes; some allow people to reposition the winglets, creating a great demonstration of how the angle can impact the plane in flight.
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