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Embry Riddle Aeronautical University

Winglet Performance Evaluation through the Vortex Lattice Method

Abstract

dc:description.abstract

<p>The purpose of the study was to assess the possibility of retrofitting winglets to the Dassault Falcon 10 small size business jet using the vortex lattice method solver program SURFACES© by GreatOWL Publishing. The winglet geometric parameters investigated were the winglet span, cant angle, sweep and taper ratio in terms of their influence on drag, range, fuel burn, as well as wing root bending moments. The results of the research show that winglet span and cant angle offer the highest gains in terms of performance while taper ratio and sweep angle have a minor contribution. In general, all winglets provided an increase in aerodynamic efficiency, however, certain configurations result in wing root bending moments and weight increases that would make a retrofit option impractical.</p>

Degree

thesis:*
Name thesis:degree_name
Master of Science in Aerospace Engineering
Level thesis:degree_level
Thesis - Open Access
Discipline thesis:degree_discipline
Aerospace Engineering
Year
2014

Author and committee

dc:creator, dc:contributor.*
Author dc:creator
  • Rademacher, Phil R.

Subjects

dc:subject × 3

Identifiers

dc:identifier.*
Repository record dc:identifier
https://commons.erau.edu/edt/178
OAI identifier oai:identifier
oai:commons.erau.edu:edt-1177

Chain of custody

source
Harvested from
Embry Riddle Aeronautical University
Base URL
commons.erau.edu/do/oai/
Last updated
2026-07-27
Source record
OAI-PMH GetRecord
citation

Rademacher, Phil R.. Winglet Performance Evaluation through the Vortex Lattice Method. Thesis - Open Access thesis, 2014. https://commons.erau.edu/edt/178