Hozambolygás

Hozambolygás is a Hungarian term that translates to "borrowed flight" or "borrowed soaring." It refers to a phenomenon in certain wingtip devices, most commonly winglets, where the airflow that would typically be lost due to wingtip vortices is partially redirected to provide a small amount of additional lift or reduced drag. This redirection can be seen as a form of "borrowed" aerodynamic benefit.

The primary function of winglets and similar devices is to reduce induced drag, which is a byproduct of the wingtip vortices. These vortices are formed by the pressure difference between the upper and lower surfaces of the wing, causing air to spill from the high-pressure underside to the low-pressure upper side at the wingtip. Hozambolygás describes the beneficial interaction of the airflow around the winglet with these vortices. Instead of simply being shed, some of this swirling air is guided by the winglet in a way that can contribute to the overall lift or decrease the overall drag experienced by the aircraft.

The effect is subtle and depends on the specific design of the wingtip device and the aircraft's flight conditions. While not a direct generation of new lift, it's a more efficient management of existing airflow. The term emphasizes that the benefit is derived from the redirected energy of the wingtip vortex, hence "borrowed." This aerodynamic principle contributes to improved fuel efficiency and performance in aircraft equipped with such devices.