Faits
Surprising-Facts
Les Winglets Économisent 4 à 5 % de Carburant
4-5
percent fuel savings
The upturned tips on modern aircraft wings, called winglets, reduce drag and save approximately 4-5% in fuel consumption.
Explication
Winglets reduce the vortex drag created at the wingtip where high-pressure air beneath the wing curls around to the low-pressure area above. This spiraling vortex wastes energy and creates hazardous wake turbulence for following aircraft. Winglets effectively increase the wing's aspect ratio without extending the wingspan, which would create ground handling problems at airport gates.
Source : Boeing / NASA