Wikiposts
Search
Flight Testing A forum for test pilots, flight test engineers, observers, telemetry and instrumentation engineers and anybody else involved in the demanding and complex business of testing aeroplanes, helicopters and equipment.

Blended Winglets

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 30th Apr 2012, 12:26
  #1 (permalink)  
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Queen of The Moorlands
Posts: 97
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Blended Winglets

Seem to be flavour of the month in these fuel saving times, now there are even split winglets or the Spiroid double blended winglets on the Falcon 50, so my question (Apologies if it sounds stupid.. haven't been in actual aircraft engineering for ten years now).. would there be a benefit to fitting blended winglets to Horizontal stabilisers? If not, why not.. surely they must create similar drag conditions at the tip to the main wing?

Just curious..
Alloa Akbar is offline  
Old 30th Apr 2012, 16:07
  #2 (permalink)  
Tabs please !
 
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Biffins Bridge
Posts: 951
Received 343 Likes on 203 Posts
A very logical idea Mr Akbar, the "winglet" would have to be upside down of course. What makes more sense is a canard configuration so that all lifting surfaces are acting against gravity. If you are really clever then the tip vortex from the canard can generate lift as it passes over the main wing.

Apologies if I am talking bolleaux of course.
B Fraser is offline  
Old 30th Apr 2012, 16:49
  #3 (permalink)  
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Queen of The Moorlands
Posts: 97
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
BF - I was thinking more along the lines of post production design changes rather than new aircraft concepts. I'm a rotary wing man myself, so apart from standard TOF stuff, I'm a bit light in this area of FW design.
Alloa Akbar is offline  
Old 30th Apr 2012, 21:08
  #4 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: At home
Posts: 1,232
Received 3 Likes on 3 Posts
Would it be fair to say that as the tailplane has to generate maximum force when manouvering, its loading in cruise is low for its area, so winglets wouldn't be justified? There are plenty of aircraft with twin fins & rudders, which although not blended, do give an end plate effect.

On modern airliners, reduced stability and tailplane trim tanks appear to be the preferred route.
Mechta is offline  
Old 1st May 2012, 08:42
  #5 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Airside
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
With a well positioned CoG, either through careful loading of the aircraft or with the use of trim tanks, there will be little load on the stabilizer. So the added weight and complexity would not justify the addition of stabilizer winglets.
EngineOut is offline  
Old 23rd May 2012, 06:48
  #6 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: England
Posts: 1,389
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Ditto one on the fin :-)
cwatters is offline  

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off



Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.