PPRuNe Forums - View Single Post - Winglet Question from a university exam...
Old 16th Jun 2012, 18:47
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FlightPathOBN
 
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Sorry, but wake vortices are not reduced. They are different. With the winglets there are the two components, the small core and the large core, virtually 2 separate vortex, and they act much differently.

The small core are very high velocity, and a smaller core, which may break up earlier. The large core are slower moving, and tend to last longer.
Under the right conditions, a small core will transform into a large core. This tend to happen when the air is drier, and calmer. Under this scenario, the vortex is much longer lasting, and therefore a much higher chance of WVE.

The flaps on the ac have the largest effect on wake vortex. A 737-800 on final with flaps 20, generates a much different vortex than the same aircraft with flaps 30 and/or 40. The same aircraft.

IF you want to see some real interesting vortices, look at the A380 on final....
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