Frans Veldman wrote:
> I recall having read somewhere that for the speeds reached by
> GA-aircraft, any improvements by winglets etc. is countered by the
> additional drag (frontal area, friction drag). If you see winglets, it
> is usually the result of fashion, not science.
>
>
But don't try and fly an EZ without it's winglets! Not possible. It all
depends how much washout the designer put in and the wing area. Exceed
Vne in a sailplane and the wings bend down.
Winglets can certainly be fashionable but square wings are just a poorly
optimised compromise. There are no straight lines on a bird and some of
them are optimised for incredible feats of efficiency.
Graham
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