Which component is designed to reduce drag on the wing?

Which component is designed to reduce drag on the wing?

• A. Flaps
• B. Wing
• C. Slats
• D. Winglet

Answer: (D)

Winglets are the feature that reduces drag on the wing. They cut induced drag by weakening the wingtip vortices that form when the wing generates lift. Those vortices create energy loss and additional drag, especially at cruise. By redirecting the airflow at the tips, winglets lessen these vortices, improving the wing’s lift-to-drag ratio and boosting fuel efficiency and range. Flaps and slats are high-lift devices used for takeoff and landing; they increase lift but also increase drag when deployed, so they’re not aimed at drag reduction in cruise. The wing itself is the main lifting surface, not a drag-reduction device. Winglet is the component that directly reduces drag.

Winglets are the feature that reduces drag on the wing. They cut induced drag by weakening the wingtip vortices that form when the wing generates lift. Those vortices create energy loss and additional drag, especially at cruise. By redirecting the airflow at the tips, winglets lessen these vortices, improving the wing’s lift-to-drag ratio and boosting fuel efficiency and range. Flaps and slats are high-lift devices used for takeoff and landing; they increase lift but also increase drag when deployed, so they’re not aimed at drag reduction in cruise. The wing itself is the main lifting surface, not a drag-reduction device. Winglet is the component that directly reduces drag.