The results of a flight evaluation of winglets on a DC-10 Series 10 aircraft are presented. For sensitive areas of comparison, effects of winglets were determined back to back with and without winglets. Basic and reduced span winglet configurations were tested. After initial encounter with low speed buffet, a number of acceptable configurations were developed. For maximum drag reduction at both cruise and low speeds, lower winglets were required, having leading edge devices on upper and lower winglets for the latter regime. The cruise benefits were enhanced by adding outboard aileron droop to the reduced span winglet aircraft. Winglets had no significant impact on stall speeds, high speed buffet boundary, and stability and control characteristics. Flutter test results agreed with predictions and ground vibration data. Flight loads measurement also agreed with predictions.
Dc-10 Winglet Flight Evaluation
1983
145 pages
Report
No indication
English
DC-10 winglet flight evaluation
NTRS | 1983
DC-10 Winglet Flight Evaluation
NTIS | 1983
|DC-10 winglet flight evaluation
NTRS | 1983
|NTRS | 1981
|KC-135A Winglet Flight Flutter Program
NTRS | 1982
|