HaitiLibre Quiz

Aerospace 1.1 EXPERT

Difficulty Level: N1 Normal
Dive into the heart of the aerospace saga that constantly pushes back the boundaries of our horizons. This quiz aims to satisfy your curiosity, your thirst for knowledge, and your fascination with technological innovation. By exploring space, you honor human ingenuity, striving for a future where space exploration and aeronautical excellence define our destiny.
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What is the main function of "winglets", these vertical fins located at the end of the wings of many modern airliners ?

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THE CORRECT ANSWER: Reduce drag induced by marginal vortices to save fuel

Winglets are essential aerodynamic devices in contemporary civil aviation. When a wing generates lift, a pressure difference is established between the intrados (bottom) and the extrados (top). At the wingtip, the air seeks to balance this pressure by bypassing the edge, creating powerful vortices called "wingtip vortices". These vortices generate a resistance called induced drag, which slows the aircraft and increases its energy consumption. By adding winglets, engineers are able to break up or deflect these airflows, making the wing more "efficient" virtually without increasing its physical wingspan. This innovation allows a reduction in fuel consumption of between 3% and 5%, while reducing CO2 emissions. This is a perfect example of how a simple geometric modification can radically optimize the performance of a complex machine in the face of current economic and environmental challenges.