Saintsman
20th Jul 2015, 14:13
Is wake turbulance reduced if the aircraft has fins on the wingtips? (I've just seen a diagram showing turbulance spiralling from the wingtips and it got me thinking).
Many thanks S.
pattern_is_full
20th Jul 2015, 17:26
Yep.
Winglets reduce tip vortices. Because in addition to producing hazards to other aircraft, wingtip vortices rob energy from your aircraft (you're using fuel to produce the power to spin all that air). The winglets make the wing more efficient, and save money (and coincidently reduce the wake turbulence for other aircraft).
Saintsman
21st Jul 2015, 19:33
Thank you. I did suspect as such, but nice to have it confirmed.