Quote:
Originally Posted by Piwoslaw
Can any plane be retrofitted with those winglets?
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Many can be, as far as I know--
BUT:
- They need to have "type approval" or be FAA certified as a modification. This can be a lengthy and expensive process.
- Wings with round tips will make adding winglets difficult.
- Low-speed aircraft may not benefit much from them.
- Supersonic aircraft may have other constraints.
- Military aircraft may have other constraints (e.g., low-observable "stealth" configurations, room for wings to fold for storage on board ship, etc.).
I only really can recall seeing winglets on aircraft with swept wings that also taper. It is possible that other wing forms create difficulties with adding them or with their effectiveness. But on most airliners, I would think they would be a good addition. Assuming they get approved, of course.
-soD