Blended Winglets Improve Aerodynamic and Aviation Fuel Efficiency for Commercial and General Aviation Aircrafts
Youssef Elb, Academy of Medical Technology, 8-21 Bay 25th St, Far Rockaway, NY 11691.
Farhan Tanvir, Arinne Hoque, York College of CUNY & JFKR Aviation and Aeronautics Academy, Jamaica NY, 11451.
Federal Aviation Administration. (2023). Pilot’s handbook of aeronautical knowledge (FAA-H-8083-25C). https://www.faa.gov/regulations_policies/handbooks_manuals/aviation/faa-h-8083-25c.pdf
Ahmed, S., & Rana, M. (2023). Impact of wing design on aircraft fuel efficiency. Australasian Journal of Applied and Advanced Engineering, 4(2). https://australiansciencejournals.com/ajaae/article/view/512
Boeing. (2001). 737NG passenger configuration data. https://www.boeing.com/content/dam/boeing/boeingdotcom/company/about_bca/startup/pdf/historical/737NG_passenger.pdf
References
An enormous thanks to The Port Authority of NY & NJ, A New JFK, York College, Delta, American Airlines, JFK Millennium Partners and The New Terminal JFK International Airport, whose research grants made this STEM project possible.
Acknowledgements
Winglets have a great positive effect on fuel efficiency, as shown in Figure 2. These improvements mean that we are going to have less CO2 in our environment and a better climate overall. Additionally, winglets increase the thrust of the aircraft, which might come in crucial during an unplanned stall recovery since every factor counts during such an event.
Conclusion
Figure 2 demonstrates how aircrafts with winglets such as the 737-700 had a 3.3% reduction in fuel usage compared to the same aircraft without winglets. This supports the idea that winglets improve fuel efficiency by eliminating drag, which is going to be a significant factor for airlines in saving money when fuel prices spike (Figure 2). This makes winglets a cost-effective upgrade for their fleets while also being easily installable and upgraded.
Discussion
One of the most used types of winglets is the blended winglet due to its aerodynamic efficiency and aesthetics (Figure 1). These winglets reduce drag by reducing the formation of wingtip vortices, allowing for an increase in fuel efficiency. Secondly, the aesthetic appeal, due to its smooth, curved design is more visually appealing for passengers and is a symbol of efficiency. Finally, these winglets are designed to have better compatibility with existing aircrafts, making them easier to install and allowing airliners to upgrade their fleets easily and cheaply instead of replacing them.
Advantages of Blended Winglets In Modern Aircraft
Fuel Efficiency is one of the most important topics in aviation due to growing environmental concerns and increasing fuel prices (Dr. John Harris, 2023). Winglets are a widely used attachment that significantly improve aerodynamic efficiency. Blended winglets are a type of winglet that is particularly effective in reducing the drag-to-lift ratio due to their smooth design, which curves out from the wings (Leishman, 2022) . This design eliminates drag efficiently by reducing the formation of vortices around the wing tip. This enables airplanes to travel longer distances with reduced fuel consumption, thereby improving fuel efficiency and reducing CO2 emissions.
Background
Image of the creation of vortices
Fuel Prices
Figure 1 shows the fuel prices over time from 2016 to January 2025. Figure 2 shows the different amounts of fuel consumption by aircrafts with and without winglets. For the 737-700, winglets caused a -3.3% decrease in fuel consumption. For the 737-800, there was a -3.4% decrease in consumption. For the 737-900ER, there was a -3% decrease, showing how winglets have a positive effect in reducing fuel consumption (Figure 2).
Winglets Reduce Fuel Consumption
According to a research document on Flight (Evaluation of the Effect of Winglets on Performance) posted by NASA by Bruce J. Holmes, the data has shown that winglets increased the cruising speed to 8 Knots (5.6%) at a density altitude of 13000 ft and a consistent thrust power of ~50% (Holmes, 1980). Additionally, the rate of climb increased by 6%. These two improvements can decrease the risk of stalls and provide a safer recovery, given the fact that stalls can occur due to minimum airspeed or air not flowing smoothly around the wings.
Winglets Affect on Aircraft Maneuverability and stall recovery
How Winglets Function
Winglets Performance Data
Blended Winglet
Figure 1. Image of a Blended Winglet ( a curved tip that reduces drag and fuel use)
Courtesy of flightlineweekly.com
Airbus names these winglets “sharklets”
Figure 2. (eia.gov,2025)
Figure 3. (Boeing, 2007)
Section
Content
Through the making of planes they use many rocks and minerals to build it, such as Titanium, aluminum, and vanadium, which is used in jet engines and high speed aircrafts. These resources are used to make steel.
Links
https://www1.grc.nasa.gov/beginners-guide-to-aeronautics/learn-about-aerodynamics/ Also has simulation in it.
https://www.faa.gov/regulations_policies/handbooks_manuals/aviation/faa-h-8083-25c.pdf
https://australiansciencejournals.com/ajaae/article/view/512
https://www.cirium.com/thoughtcloud/impact-winglets-on-fuel-consumption-and-aircraft-emissions/ maybe???
https://www.boeing.com/commercial/airports/plan-manuals
Links
Examples of titles (JFKR)
Example: Investigating the effects of (something) on (someone) in (somewhere)
current student aviation projects:
Women in Aviation
Drones and Global Warming in Aviation
Turbine Engines Vs Reciprocating Engines
Throughout history, has Airbus been safer than Boeing?
Supersonic Jets: Cross The Ocean for A Day Trip?
The Use of AI in Aviation
While existing metals, alloys, such as Aluminum, Titanium, and Vanadium and other materials are effective for making an plane, there may be better alternatives
Investigating The Relationship Between Particulate Matter Emissions Closer To Major Airports In The Usa And Their Possible Effects On The Common Public Health
Hypothesis draft:
Examples:
Considering (some factor), the increase or decrease of (something) is expected to cause the increase of decrease of (something else)
Copy the slide if you need more than one.
Websites you might use as sources (mostly aviation)
(scholarly articles, usually peer reviewed)
FAA records??
https://www.faa.gov/data_research/research
european emissions database?
https://www.easa.europa.eu/en/domains/environment/icao-aircraft-engine-emissions-databank
article about ^^ vs FAA
https://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/publications/atpubs/aip_html/part1_gen_se
FAA Data download
https://www.faa.gov/data_research/aviation_data_statistics/data_downloads
Websites you might use as sources (other STEM)
https://www.epa.gov/outdoor-air-quality-data/download-daily-data
(epa outdoor air quality data)
https://cfpub.epa.gov/ghgdata/inventoryexplorer/
(epa Greenhouse Gas Inventory Data Explorer)
https://www.iucnredlist.org/search/stats
The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
Useful tools
Background info and or Introduction
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Results
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Discussion
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Limitations
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you might have a very low sample size, like only 2 sites of lead contamination near two mechanic shops in queens, and might need more to get a better conclusion. you can state these limitations openly
you might not have the most expensive tools to get elemental concentration data (like handheld XRF), but your tools might be a good estimate before justifying the use of more expensive tools like ICPMS
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what else do you think you can expand on next time?
why?
References
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Abstract
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usually it’s 1500 characters or less including spaces and punctuation and letters
you do this at the end of the project, it is a summary
Examples Abstracts
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[2023] Jessie Chen, Rozalia Lakhram, Roziya Lakhram, Andrew M Singh, Atiqa Tirmizi, Kevin Singh and Nazrul I Khandaker. "Assessing Cyber Security Vulnerabilities in the Aviation Industry and the Implications for Space Exploration." American Geophysical Union Scientific Program (Abstracts and Sessions). December 2023: .
[2023] Afnan Joarder, Jessie Chen, Roziya Lakhram, Rozalia Lakhram, Andrew M Singh and Nazrul I Khandaker. "The Adverse Respiratory Effects of the Increased PM 2.5 Concentrations in New York City During the Canadian Wildfire Incidents in June of 2023." American Geophysical Union Scientific Program (Abstracts and Sessions). December 2023: .
[2023] SINGH, Andrew, SINGH, Kevin, KHANDAKER, Nazrul, CHEN, Jessie, SANCHEZ, Adriana, BRILLON, Daniela, MAHER, Nazifa, and SAWH, Ashley. "CYBER SECURITY AND CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE IN THE GEOSCIENCES - ESSENTIAL EDUCATION FOR THE CYBER-PHYSICAL FUTURE." Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs. Vol. 55, No. 6, October 2023: .
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