Aircraft
designers have traditionally used winglets as a means to reduce induced drag
and save on consequent fuel burn aka operating costs. Over the years several
designs have emerged and the classic end plates and winglets are common in
Boeing and airbus models. General aviation aircraft on the other hand have more
innovative designs of winglets to enhance operational cost benefits.
While
an equivalent increase in wingspan would be more effective than a winglet of
the same length, the bending force becomes a greater factor. Typically, a three-foot winglet has the same
bending force as a one-foot increase in span, yet gives the same performance gain
as a two-foot wing span increase. For
this reason, most designers have concentrated their efforts in winglets designs
to reduce drag.
