Winglets

[chris]

Hey guys,

I realize that winglets are designed to reduce induced drag by preventing the formation of wing-tip vortices.

However, if the voritces are not being dissipated at the wing tips, then where does this happen?

In "See How It Flies," the author explains that vortices are required for lift to be produced; no vortices= no lift.

If they are a necessary evil, then where are they getting dissipated? Or, is there no dissipation??

Thanks in advance.

 

[Redbirdfan]

you've got it backwards. Wing Tip Vortices are a byproduct of lift. The difference in pressure above and below the wing causes the high pressure air under the wing to want to flow to the low pressure side on top. The wing tip is the first chance it gets. Vortices are not necessary to produce lift, they just occur BECAUSE lift occurs. It's called induced drag, a lift byproduct. The purpose of winglets is to reduce induced drag, allowing better fuel burns and performance.