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Training TipsThe why of winglets
“Notice anything unusual about that airplane?” asks your instructor.
Given the question, you know the answer has to be “yes,” so you give the aircraft an extra careful inspection as it rolls past.
“Winglets,” the CFI says, pointing to small vertical airfoils at the tips of the airplane’s wings.
Why winglets?
Frequently a design element of large jet and turboprop aircraft, winglets—designed to address aerodynamic inefficiencies of the airflow around wingtips—have begun to appear as original equipment or as aftermarket installations on smaller aircraft. The basic idea is that winglets can counteract a loss of lift resulting from the phenomenon of wingtip vortices.
“The high-pressure area on the bottom of an airfoil pushes around the tip to the low-pressure area on the top,” explains the Pilot’s Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge. “This action creates a rotating flow called a tip vortex. The vortex flows behind the airfoil creating a downwash that extends back to the trailing edge of the airfoil. This downwash results in an overall reduction in lift for the affected portion of the airfoil. Manufacturers have developed different methods to counteract this action. Winglets can be added to the tip of an airfoil to reduce this flow. The winglets act as a dam preventing the vortex from forming. Winglets can be on the top or bottom of the airfoil.”
Designs have advantages and drawbacks, so designers are further subdividing winglets as either passive or active devices.
“Passive winglets such as those found on airliners and business jets today impart a bending moment to the wing, due to the extra lift they provide at the very tip,” explained this October 2012 AOPA Online article. “Either the wing connection to the fuselage must be strengthened, or the winglets must be small enough to avoid extra strain.” By contrast, active winglets tested by AOPA are designed to “turn off” the extra lift when wing loads are high.
More benefits were suggested when recent testing of winglets on a Piper Aerostar twin-engine aircraft demonstrated better handling during stalls, and increased safety margins in slow-speed flight.
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Did you know that student pilots who join AOPA are three times more likely to complete their flight training? Membership includes unlimited access to aviation information by phone (800/USA-AOPA, weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern time) or from Flight Training Online or AOPA Online. If you’re not already a member, join today and get the pilot’s edge. Login information is available online.
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Training ProductsNew e-book on becoming a pilot releasediFLYblog.com has released a new free e-book, How To Be A Pilot, that walks those interested through the process of getting their pilot certificate, step-by-step. Written by an experienced flight instructor, this book is full of insider tips and techniques to set candidates up for success. Microsoft releases second edition of flight sim bookAuthor Bruce Williams has released the second edition of Microsoft Flight Simulator as a Training Aid, a guide for anyone who wants to maximize his or her real or virtual cockpit experience while learning more efficiently with less stress, and having more money left in the bank at checkride time. The book and accompanying CD provide general suggestions, specific advice, and practical tools for making effective use of Microsoft Flight Simulator as an aid to becoming a pilot. The cost is $29.95.
Note: Products listed have not been evaluated by ePilot editors unless otherwise noted. AOPA assumes no responsibility for products or services listed or for claims or actions by manufacturers or vendors. Member BenefitsDocuments pilots need to provide for conditions AMEs can issueDr. Warren S. Silberman offers pointers on what you need to get your treating physician to provide to you prior to visiting your aviation medical examiner if you have glaucoma, chronic hepatitis C, hypothyroidism, or hypertension. Read more >> Five good reasons to say yes to a business aircraftSmall businesses and entrepreneurs can use general aviation aircraft to gain a competitive advantage. AOPA Aviation Finance Co. tells members how. Read more >> BlogsYour instrument training tipsSince many pilots start instrument training almost immediately after completing their private pilot certificate, AOPA Technical Editor Jill Tallman wondered if Flight Training’s Facebook friends had any tips for those about to take the plunge. Turns out, they did—probably based on personal experience. As with almost any aviation topic, there were some divergent views. Read more >> Uncommanded yawIn cruise flight, should a helicopter experience an uncommanded yaw the cause in most cases would be an engine failure or tail rotor failure. The direction of the yaw indicates the type of failure. Read more >> AOPA Career OpportunitiesEver dream of turning your passion for aviation into a career? We’re looking for an aircraft analyst, director of corporate partnerships, marketing specialist, software test and quality assurance analyst, and AOPA Live editor/graphic artist. To learn more about other AOPA career opportunities, visit AOPA Online. Community
AVIATION EVENTS & WEATHER
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A light sport aircraft taxies by as you are tying down your trainer after the day’s flight lesson.
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