AerodynamicsQuestion 421 of 934

What is the purpose of winglets on an airfoil?

  1. They add wing area for takeoff
  2. They reduce tip vortex formation
  3. They cut the skin friction of the wing
  4. They add camber to the upper surface
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Correct answer: They reduce tip vortex formation

Winglets act as a dam. They prevent the tip vortex from forming.

Source: Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge (FAA-H-8083-25C), Chapter 4: Principles of Flight — A Third Dimension, page 96

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Questions last reviewed: 18 October 2026