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4 answers

These are winglets. They are there to reduce the tip vortices created by the wings.

On a straight wing, the air movement over the end of the wing creates a vortex - a mass of spinning air. This mass will persist for several minutes, and usually slowly sinks. It can cause turbulence for the next aircraft, and even flip a small aircraft out of control and slam it into the ground. Controlling these can make a major improvement in airport safety.

2007-09-12 02:48:02 · answer #1 · answered by Ralfcoder 7 · 0 0

Ralf got the answer partially correct. The winglets do control turbulence, but the reason is not specifically to reduce the presence of vortexes as a safety measure for other aircraft. The primary purpose is to reduce drag on the aircraft. Generating those vortexes requires energy, which reduces the overall efficiency of the aircraft. In order to maximimize the efficiency, winglets are added to reduce wingtip turbulence.

As to your observation of winglet direction, I can't verify that it is correct. All examples of winglets I have seen have been upward, and occur on large and small aircraft alike. Every fighter I looked at had no winglets at all, perhaps because while they increase the efficiency of the wing, they may reduce the maneuverability of the aircraft.

2007-09-12 10:15:55 · answer #2 · answered by dansinger61 6 · 1 0

If you're asking about the 'slope` of the
whole wing, (Dihedral=up, Cathedral=down),
it's a matter of stability.
Fighter wings "point down" to give them
a greater roll rate, (more maneuverability).
Cargo wings only point down at rest.
If you see those aircraft in the air, the wings
"point up" as the wing flexes under load.

2007-09-12 14:59:38 · answer #3 · answered by Irv S 7 · 0 0

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2007-09-13 10:10:50 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0 1

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