What are Those Things on Airplanes' Wings?

The video discusses common flight discomforts and introduces the concept of drag, a force that airlines combat to save fuel. It explains how vortices contribute to drag and how engineers invented winglets to reduce it. Winglets, small upward-curving extensions at the wingtips, help decrease drag and improve fuel efficiency, saving airlines money. The video highlights the historical development of winglets and their widespread adoption in modern aviation.

What is drag in the context of aviation?

• The lift generated by the airplane's wings

• The weight of the airplane

• The total of all forces a fluid exerts on a moving object

• The force that propels an airplane forward

How do vortices contribute to drag on an airplane?

• They stabilize the airplane during flight

• They create lift for the airplane

• They increase the airplane's speed

• They push down on the wing and pull it backward

What is the primary function of winglets on an airplane?

• To enhance the airplane's aesthetic appeal

• To increase the airplane's weight

• To reduce drag by interfering with airflow

• To increase the airplane's speed

When were winglets first introduced on commercial airliners?

• In the 1960s

• In the 1970s

• In 1989

• In 2000

What percentage of fuel savings do winglets typically provide?

• 2.5% to 4.5%

• 5% to 6%

• 7% to 8%

• 1% to 2%