Originally Posted by
chornedsnorkack
Just why is a winglet better than extending the wingtip in the same direction?
If you mean extending the wing away from the tip and then bending it toward the vertical, then that is what the blended winglet is.
If you mean extending the wing without the winglet, I would suggest there would still be the issue of greater air movement from High to Lower pressure areas. Remember, you are trying to stop this movement.
Ah - just noticed the above... I agree.
Aren't Airbus now looking at winglets on their A320? Although, I've always though their wing fence would function better given it is stopping this movement at both lower and upper surfaces?