Winglets. You know, those wing extensions that reduce vortices, increase fuel economy, extend range, and look cool. How big are they?



(If you're a pilot or work in the aviation industry, feel free to vote, but don't spoil it for others!)

Question:
How tall is the winglet on a 737?

Choices:
18"
About 4 feet tall
A little over 8 feet
10-12 feet depending on aircraft model
21 feet measured from wing centerline

 

My vote is a total guess. Will the correct answer get posted eventually so we know the answer?

quote:

Originally posted by MagicHorse:
My vote is a total guess. Will the correct answer get posted eventually so we know the answer?

Of course! Would not leave you hanging. I'll post the answer sometime this very evening.

41,008 feet and 2 inches.

I looked it up after I voted.....not the answer I expected.

Funny story. When I started college, I was aerospace engineering. Was talking with a team lead on a project & he was telling the story of how he nearly panicked a passenger over the winglets.
Short version, he told her the wing should definitely not be bent like that. Then spent the rest of the flight explaining what they do & easing her mind.

quote:

Originally posted by sigmonkey:
41,008 feet and 2 inches.

quote:

Originally posted by P250UA5:

I looked it up after I voted.....not the answer I expected.

The answer's easily Googled, but it's more fun to just guess. It was not the answer I expected, either.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: kkina,

Interesting...

Commercial aviation is not the first with winglets.

Carrier aviators figured out how to save AvGas a while ago... (not, pics below result in major pucker factor, flying with the wings folded is not a good plan)

quote:

Originally posted by P250UA5:

Funny story. When I started college, I was aerospace engineering. Was talking with a team lead on a project & he was telling the story of how he nearly panicked a passenger over the winglets.
Short version, he told her the wing should definitely not be bent like that. Then spent the rest of the flight explaining what they do & easing her mind.

My last trip was not that different. Below is how the winglet looked on my last flight. Almost looked like a tape repair.

My guess Depending on aircraft 10-12 tall

I didn't Google either but I believe I know the answer too.

Once you've answered the poll you should then go to Google and enter other planes and what you find will surprise you.

https://www.quora.com/What-is-...-commercial-aircraft

Winglet height versus wing length

I got it correct, but please don't think of me as some kinda mensa. I must provide full disclosure that I just went through training and got type-rated on that fleet this past November. Well the fleet flying blue and white 737’s...

I googled the question and yeah, I was surprised, not shocked mind you, just surprised.

Jim

I could not begin to guess. Because I make it a practice to never ever look out of an airplane window.

Surprisingly, at least to non-aviators like me, those particular winglets are 8 feet 2 inches tall. The wing makes them look smaller.



I want to know if Sigmonkey knew that off the top of his head, or did he have to look it up like the rest of us schmucks?