Winglets

[Aviator737]

If winglets reduce aerodynamic drag and make an aircraft more fuel efficient, why aren't they used on every airplane?

 

[Grabo172]

Cost?

 

[ready2fly]

Because a 150 would look kinda silly?

 

[mtsu_av8er]

[ QUOTE ]
Because a 150 would look kinda silly?

[/ QUOTE ]

Maybe we could get 98 knots out of it!!!

 

[Aviator737]

[ QUOTE ]
Because a 150 would look kinda silly?

[/ QUOTE ]

Hey, if it actually worked, I wouldn't care!

Can't make the 150 look much sillier.

But I kinda meant the jetliners. Why not throw some winglets on the 737, or 757, or 767, or 320 ... or any of 'em! I would doubt they'd cost much more, and I would think they'd make enough difference to warrant whatever relatively small cost it would be.

 

[FlyChicaga]

737, 767-400, and A320 all have winglets. Not the same type of winglets, but winglets nonetheless.

 

[mtsu_av8er]

[ QUOTE ]
Why not throw some winglets on the 737, or 757, or 767, or 320 ... or any of 'em! I would doubt they'd cost much more, and I would think they'd make enough difference to warrant whatever relatively small cost it would be.

[/ QUOTE ]

There's one airline (that will remain nameless...) that's putting winglets on all of it's aircraft, which all happen to be 737's (ahem...).

Most airlines are too busy comming up with baby airlines and pretty paint to worry about fixing problems.

 

[Mr_Creepy]

They won't put them on all the planes.

Or else how can they use the double jetways at ALB and SAT?

 

[mtsu_av8er]

I correct myself...all-700s.

 

[pilot602]

'Cuz then management couldn't ask pilots for paycuts!

 

[SteveC]

[ QUOTE ]
They won't put them on all the planes.

Or else how can they use the double jetways at ALB and SAT?

[/ QUOTE ]
Since I don't mind looking stupid I'll ask: what are double jetways, and why won't they work with winglets?

 

[FL270]

One catch to winglets is that they can (sometimes by a little, sometimes by a lot) increase the wingspan of the airplane, making fitting in to tight spaces (like some gate areas!) even more problematic. I know on the Blended Winglets SWA is putting on the -700s they get a bit more wingspan ... which is what John was referring to, I'm sure. I haven't been to ALB or SAT to comment on those loations specifically, though.

 

[kellwolf]

Another problem with retrofitting blended winglets, if done improperly, the fuel tanks start to leak. Trust me.

 

[seagull]

Not so simple. Winglets need to be optimized for particular phase of flight,first off. If the mission is varied, than more aspect ratio is a better way to go, i.e. more span.