Originally Posted by
futurama
Interesting that Alaska Airlines, American Airlines and United have reported zero cracking so far (as of the 7-day deadline for highest cycle planes). Together they have some of the world's largest (& oldest NG) fleets.
Gol on the other hand has 11. What's the difference? The winglets?
OK, as an engineer, I am struggling to understand how winglets would make any difference to the loading on this fork?
My thinking is this, the plane's body mass has to be supported by the wings, makes no odds if the wings are bigger/smaller or more/less efficient, they still have to hold up the same mass.