You can tell me. I’m a doctor.
No, I mean I’m just not sure.
Well, can’t you take a guess?
Well… not for another two hours.
They make sure they are positioned to avoid any wake turbulence…
You can’t take a guess for another two hours?
No, I mean we can’t land for another two hours. Fog has closed down everything this side of the mountains. We’ve got to go through to Chicago!
No, I mean we can’t land for another two hours. Fog has closed down everything this side of the mountains. We’ve got to go through to Chicago!
Serious question though, what’s with the curly-queue at the wing tip? I’ve never seen a commercial airliner with that configuration.
ETA: Ninja’d on the “Can’t you take a guess” line.
Newer-generation wingtip vortex reducer. Known also as winglets or wingtip fences. Helps reduce the generation of vortices (duh) at the tip of the wing which reduces drag at speed and saves on fuel. With newer composite materials it is easier to “merge” them into flowing of the curve of the wing as opposed to having a sharp angle.
Airbus page on winglets
Various Boeing forms of the technology
have you flown recently? winglets have been a thing for a while.
Interesting.
Thanks.