Lennättimet

Lennättimet, also known as "lentokoneen siivet" or "winglets," are aerodynamic devices attached to the tips of an aircraft's wings. Their primary function is to reduce induced drag, which is the drag caused by the creation of lift. By extending the wing tips, winglets create a small amount of additional lift at the wingtips, which reduces the overall induced drag of the wing. This results in improved fuel efficiency and increased range for the aircraft.

Winglets can be designed in various shapes and sizes, with the most common being the blended winglet, which smoothly transitions from the wing to the winglet, and the endplate winglet, which is a flat plate attached to the wing tip. The effectiveness of winglets depends on several factors, including the aircraft's design, speed, and altitude.

Winglets were first introduced in the 1970s and have since become a standard feature on many commercial aircraft. They are particularly beneficial for long-haul flights, where fuel efficiency is crucial. However, winglets also have some drawbacks, such as increased weight and potential interference with other aircraft systems. Despite these challenges, winglets remain a popular and effective aerodynamic device for improving aircraft performance.