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Thread: Winglets
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Old Sep 21, 2017 | 4:21 am
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Waterhorse
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They are all devices to reduce wing tip vortices which happen as the low pressure air above the wing meets the high pressure air below. This causes drag which means more fuel burn. As fuel has become more expensive the efforts at the margin to reduce drag have increased. There are various designs as you note. Much depends on the design of the wing - adding weight also adds fuel burn so there is always a balance.
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