Capstone

Running head: BENEFITS AND DRAWBACKS

The Benefits and Drawbacks Winglets have had in Aviation by Mark A. Gomez

A Research Project
Submitted to the Worldwide Campus
In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements of Course ASCI 490, The Aeronautical Science Capstone Course, for the Bachelor of Science in Aeronautics Degree

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

October 2014
BENEFITS AND DRAWBACKS 2
Abstract
The purpose of this research paper is show that winglets have benefits and drawbacks, and that the airliners that are currently using these devices have a competitive advantage compared to an airliner without winglets. Since the first winglet were first installed in 1977, on a LearJet 28. These small aerodynamic devices have proven to be beneficial and also have drawbacks. Winglets have since proven to save airliners and private owners thousands of dollars, but these devices due not come cheap. This paper will discuss how winglets have benefits and drawbacks that are proven to be more beneficial in the long run. Also this paper will discuss that having winglets are beneficial and airliners that are installing winglets have reduced their fuel consumption as early as 2000. Finally, this project will conclude that winglets do not just benefit a plane in its fuel consumption, but are enhancing the aircrafts performance with mileage and reducing cost for those that are flying within the plane.
Keywords: Winglets, benefits

BENEFITS AND DRAWBACKS 3

Table of Contents

Abstract 2
Introduction 4
A Brief Literature Review 4-5
Benefits and Drawbacks data 5-9
Winglet Companies 9-12
Fuel Savings 12-15
Pratt & Whitney 15-16
Safety Concerns 16-18
FARs 18-20
Conclusion 21
Figures, Pictures, and Graphs
Picture 1.1 Conventional vs Blended 6
Figure 1 Estimated Fuel

References: Baline & Szafi (2008) Aircraft Winglets. Retrieved from http://airlineworld.wordpress.com /2008/10/01/aircraft-winglets/ Boone, L.E., & Kurtz, L. (2009) Contemporary Business. Retrieved from http:// books.google.com/books?id=1RQ53EH4pOAC&pg=PT404&lpg =PT404&dq =Boone+and+Kurtz+winglets&source=bl&ots=1A- CaDQFFh&sig=ya-uKc02jqI1pRdR0W4MpPAsBmQ&hl=en&sa=X&ei=N_ghV NytIY6oyASXqICgBQ&ved=0CDUQ6AEwAw#v=onepage&q=Boone%20 and%20Kurtz%20winglets&f=false Croft, J. (2008). A downdraft on the otherwise wonderful winglet? Retrieved from http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/a-downdraft-on-the-otherwise- wonderful-winglet-224958/ Hardigree, M. (2011) Delta 767 embeds winglet inside regional jet during runway crash. Retrieved from http://jalopnik.com/5821452/delta-767- embeds-winglet-inside-regional-jet-during-runway-crash Ostrower, Jon (2012) Aviation Partners seeks dismissal of Airbus winglet lawsuit: Retrieved from http: http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/ aviation-partners-seeks-dismissal-of-airbus-winglet-367720/ Smith, Doug (2014). Pratt & Whitney Warranty Manager (2010) Originating Technology/NASA Contribution. Retrieved from http:// spinoff.nasa.gov /Spinoff2010/t_5.html (2014) Aircraft Winglets. Retrieved from http://airlineworld.wordpress.com/ BENEFITS AND DRAWBACKS 24 2008/10/01/aircraft-winglets/ (2014) Blended Winglets. Retrieved from http://www.aviationpartners.com (2014) Retrieved from http://www.gkn.com/aerospace/products-and-capabilities/Wing-and-empennag-structures/Winglet/Pages/default.aspx (2014) Retrieved from http://www.pw.utc.com/Home (2014) Southwest Airlines Launches New Era Of Fuel Savings And Emissions Reduction With Its First Aircraft Featuring Split Scimitar Winglets http://www.swamedia.com/releases/southwest-airlines-launches-new-era -of-fuel-savings-and-emissions-reduction-with-its-first-aircraft-featuring- split-scimitar-winglets (2014) Winglets. Retrieved from http://www.boeing.com/boeing/ (2014) Winglet Regulations. Retrieved from: http://www.faa.gov (2014) Winglets. http://www.b737.org.uk/winglets.htm