[Truth29]

How can the pilot say that removal of the winglets would not have any effect on the operation of the aircraft? Are they the equivalent of fuzzy dice hanging from the rear view mirror in an old car? I don’t think they were designed just for kicks.

[cardinal4]

How can the pilot say that removal of the winglets would not have any effect on the operation of the aircraft? Are they the equivalent of fuzzy dice hanging from the rear view mirror in an old car? I don’t think they were designed just for kicks.

He may be right. The winglets are also used to disrupt the wingtip vortices that cause wake turbulence..

[saganite]

The aircraft can function fine without them. They are fuel saving devices. The Japanese fly several 747-400’s without winglets because they use them as shuttles only and aren’t airborne long enough to realize the fuel savings from having winglets.