Flügelspitze

Flügelspitze is the term used for the outermost edge of an aircraft wing. It designates the tip of the wing span where the wing ends and the airflow around the wing interacts most strongly with the atmosphere. The concept is relevant for both fixed-wing aircraft and other winged systems, and it influences aerodynamics, structural design, and fuel efficiency.

In aerodynamics, the wingtip is the origin of wingtip vortices, which form due to the pressure difference between the wing’s upper and lower surfaces. These vortices generate induced drag and can affect lift distribution and stall characteristics near the wing tips. Managing the behavior of the wingtip flow is a central consideration in wing design.

A key way to optimize the Flügelspitze is through wingtip devices. Common options include winglets (vertical or angled fins at the tip), raked wingtips (extended, swept-forward or backward tips), and endplates. These devices modify the wingtip vortices, reducing induced drag and improving lift-to-drag ratio, which can lead to lower fuel consumption and extended range. The choice of tip design depends on aircraft type, weight, speed, and mission profile; some designs also target structural and maintenance considerations.

In practice, modern airliners, business jets, and many regional aircraft often feature wingtip devices, while high-performance sailplanes employ elongated tips to minimize drag at high lift. The concept of improving the Flügelspitze has a long history in aviation research, with early ideas and later developments leading to widespread adoption in the latter part of the 20th century.