Engine Cowling Fins

[high-flyer]

Can anyone shed any light on what the small (6-8 inch) flat plate fins that are perpendicular to the cowling do on some turbofan engines?

Thanks

high-flyer

[Full_Wings]

I'm not sure of the exact reason(s) for putting them there but from observation out of the window I would say they produce a substantial vortex over the part of the wing above the cowling.

On the 777 the area above the engine doesn't have any LE devices, so the plate (vortex generator?) may compensate for this?

On rotation you can often see a wide fog trail extending from the plate over the wing...

[john_tullamarine]

try the useful URL thread under VGs (vortex generators/nacelle chines) for an explanation and some good pix ...

[comxtek]

They are supposed to redirect airflow over the wing.

[Bally Heck]

Try this (http://www.smartcockpit.com/operations/Vortex%20Generators.PDF)