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Winglets

Do winglets reduce drag? · Standard part · basis: Design rules and figures from the cited sources; example geometry by Xem Studio

Also called: winglet design, do winglets work, winglet rc plane, whitcomb winglet, wingtip device, winglet height, blended winglet, winglet induced drag, winglets on gliders

Exact dimensions. True size, with no printing tolerance added.

sizes
6 in table

Notes

  • Whitcomb's NASA winglets move the tip vortex away from the wing rather than weakening it; he predicted about 20% less induced drag and 6-9% better L/D, and KC-135 tests measured 20% and 7% (NASA Spinoff; ERAU).
  • Leishman models a winglet as an effective aspect ratio gain AR_eff = AR(1 + K h/s), with K = 1 for a classic winglet (ERAU). Winglets avoid the wing strengthening a span extension needs (NASA).
  • On NASA's canard model, enlarged winglets substantially increased directional stability (NASA TP-2623).
  • Used on: KC-135, Boeing 747-400, MD-11, Boeing 737-700.
  • The file is a reference example built by Xem Studio from the numbers above. Sizes the sources do not fix are illustrative; scale the example to your own vehicle.

Winglets size chart

parametervalue or rangesource
Induced drag reduction (KC-135)20% predicted and measuredNASA Spinoff 2010
L/D increase6-9% predicted, 7% measuredNASA Spinoff 2010
KC-135 winglet height9 ftNASA Spinoff 2010
Effective ARAR(1 + K h/s), K = 1 classic wingletERAU (Leishman)
737 MAX AT winglet fuel saving (claimed)up to 1%ERAU
Reference buildtapered wing with 60 mm wingletsillustrative

Where the files are

Other publishers' files are linked, not hosted. "verify" = check the license at the link before commercial use.

NASA Spinoff 2010Winglets Save Billions of Dollars in Fuel CostswebPublisher's page; dimensions are facts
Embry-Riddle (Leishman), Introduction to Aerospace Flight VehiclesWing Shapes and NomenclaturewebPublisher's page; dimensions are facts
NASA Langley (D. Satran)Wind-Tunnel Investigation of the Flight Characteristics of a Canard General-Aviation Airplane Configuration, NASA TP-2623 (1986)webPublisher's page; dimensions are facts

Free files

★ Free files 1 parts. Xem Studio design: free to use, print and sell things from; not to be republished as files. Xem Studio Design License. index.json

winglets-wingtapered planform: span 1000, root 220, tip 99 mm, LE sweep 0°, dihedral 3°, NACA 2412STEP · STL
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Plain text: sheet.txt · JSON: /api/geometry?object=winglets

Winglets, isometric render of a generated part
Render of winglets-wing from the free STEP; not to scale.

Fits with

Plain flap, isometric render of a generated part
Plain flap6 sizes★ 1 file
Split flap, isometric render of a generated part
Split flap3 sizes★ 1 file
Slotted flap, isometric render of a generated part
Slotted flap5 sizes★ 1 file
Fowler flap, isometric render of a generated part
Fowler flap5 sizes★ 1 file
Leading-edge slat and fixed slot, isometric render of a generated part
Leading-edge slat and fixed slot5 sizes★ 1 file
Gurney flap, isometric render of a generated part
Gurney flap5 sizes★ 1 file

Questions

Do winglets help small RC planes?

The physics is the same: they act like extra span (AR_eff = AR(1+K h/s), ERAU), but Whitcomb's numbers are for transports.