Split Scimitar Winglets

I'm sure I'm way behind on this, but yesterday I flew on a new 737-800 with "Split Scimitar" winglets. One airline claimed 3% fuel savings. That seems optimistic to me, but every little bit helps. Is anybody working on adaptations for gliders?

SF

On Wednesday, January 14, 2015 at 10:39:11 AM UTC-5, wrote:
I'm sure I'm way behind on this, but yesterday I flew on a new 737-800 with "Split Scimitar" winglets. One airline claimed 3% fuel savings. That seems optimistic to me, but every little bit helps. Is anybody working on adaptations for gliders?

SF

Wouldn't they be vulnerable to breaking?

Dennis

On Wednesday, January 14, 2015 at 10:39:11 AM UTC-5, wrote:
I'm sure I'm way behind on this, but yesterday I flew on a new 737-800 with "Split Scimitar" winglets. One airline claimed 3% fuel savings. That seems optimistic to me, but every little bit helps. Is anybody working on adaptations for gliders?

SF

3% compared to no winglets or compared to previously used winglets?
Hmmmmmm
UH

On Wednesday, January 14, 2015 at 9:37:47 AM UTC-8, wrote:
On Wednesday, January 14, 2015 at 10:39:11 AM UTC-5, wrote:
I'm sure I'm way behind on this, but yesterday I flew on a new 737-800 with "Split Scimitar" winglets. One airline claimed 3% fuel savings. That seems optimistic to me, but every little bit helps. Is anybody working on adaptations for gliders?

SF

3% compared to no winglets or compared to previously used winglets?
Hmmmmmm
UH

"Each traditional pair of winglets on the 737 cuts fuel consumption by 3.5% to 4% on flights of more than 1,000 nautical miles. The split scimitar upgrade--which costs $545,000, before discounts-will reduce fuel burn by up to 2% more, says United, which hopes to save up to $60 million a year because of the devices, once its fleet is outfitted."

Big wings have little wings upon their ends to fly'em.
Little wings have lesser wings, and so on, ad infinitum.

Can't remember where who wrote that, but seem relevant.

Winglets not only reduce fuel consumption, increasing range, but also allow for a greater take-off gross weight.

How much does a 3% fuel reduction equate to on....say.....a 1-26?

Oh! Do they increase the strength of the wing carry-through and/or the
landing gear/tires/brakes? We mustn't forget that pesky 1/2*mv**2 thing.

Or do you mean they lower the liftoff speed for a given weight thus
reducing balanced field length?


On 1/14/2015 4:04 PM, Mike Rinaldi wrote:
Winglets not only reduce fuel consumption, increasing range, but also allow for a greater take-off gross weight.

--
Dan Marotta

The press release from the manufacturer FWIW:

API Announces Latest Upgrade for BBJs
Split Scimitar Winglets
Geneva, Switzerland. May 19, 2014... Aviation Partners, Inc. (API) is here at EBACE to discuss the latest upgrade for BBJs, the new Split Scimitar Winglets (SSWs). The SSWs,recently certified for the 737-800 (including BBJ2) by Aviation Partners Boeing (APB), API's jointventure with the Boeing Company, are already in-service with a number of major airlines. Using a newly patented API design, the SSW program completely redefines the aerodynamics of the existing Blended Winglet. The retrofit to the existing BBJ Blended Winglet will consist of adding a new Scimitar-tipped large Ventral Strake, beef up of internal winglet structure, and replacement of the aluminum winglet tip caps with new aerodynamically shaped "Scimitar" tip
caps. This revolutionary design was flight tested by API in 2012 on a BBJ and confirmed significant drag reduction over the basic Blended Winglet configuration. The unique feature of the Spilt Scimitar Winglet is that it builds on the existing Blended Winglet design to provide a dramatic performance improvement without increasing the existing wing span.
For long-range BBJ operations, the SSW will provide a drag reduction, and corresponding range increase, of 2.5-3.0% over the current Blended Winglet configuration. This translates to a range increase of 200 nautical miles or more for long range operators. "The Split Scimitar Winglet range benefit is tremendously compelling given the missions many BBJ owners undertake," said Gary Dunn, API Vice President of Sales & Marketing, "the upgrade will essentially give a BBJ with seven aux tanks the range of an eight aux
tank airplane."

The Split Scimitar Winglets are already FAA and EASA approved for the 737-800 / BBJ2, with STC anticipated on the remaining 737NG models (including BBJ and BBJ3) by year end. For more information visit API at EBACE (stand #5917) or fly to www.aviationpartners.com.


On Thursday, January 15, 2015 at 11:04:01 AM UTC-5, Dan Marotta wrote:
Oh! Do they increase the strength of the wing carry-through and/or
the landing gear/tires/brakes? We mustn't forget that pesky
1/2*mv**2 thing.



Or do you mean they lower the liftoff speed for a given weight thus
reducing balanced field length?






On 1/14/2015 4:04 PM, Mike Rinaldi
wrote:



Winglets not only reduce fuel consumption, increasing range, but also allow for a greater take-off gross weight.





--

Dan Marotta

Apparently, they're easy to wipe off in a crosswind landing.
I wonder if replacing the nose section (designed ~50 years ago) of the B737 would help more?
Or perhaps adding gear doors?
Jim