If you find yourself staring at the tips of wings during your travels, wondering what those curvy wingtip additions do, Seattle-based Aviation Partners has the answer.
Their blended winglet technology has saved airlines and business jet operators an estimated seven billion gallons of jet fuel and counting, thanks to their unique role in reducing drag.
A joint partnership with Boeing, you’ll find these blended winglets on most of Boeing’s new planes, including the 737 and 767. The winglets reduce the drag that is produced by the end of the wing, where little mini tornadoes of air pressure caused by differences between the upper and lower part of the wing create turbulence.
By reducing this vortex of disrupted air, the blended winglets increase fuel efficiency, as much as 60% greater than conventional winglets that are angled rather than curved.
Find out more about these amazing Washington State innovations in this Puget Sound Business Journal article or check out the real-time fuel estimator on the Aviation Partners website.