Cockpit Chronicles: The airline industry's newest business model: Desperate Housewives.

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5-05-2008 @ 10:22PM

Ben said...

Great article, Kent.

Now I understand how winglets increase fuel economy by slowing the vortices, but what does that have to do with a smooth landing? Also, what does a wet runway have to do with it?

Thanks!

5-06-2008 @ 8:33AM

Kent Wien said...

Good question Ben,

I'm not sure what's causing it, but the wingletted aircraft behave differently just after touchdown. Normally, the speed brakes (ground spoilers) come out and the airplane's struts compress as the lift is immediately lost. The 757 with winglets seems to have made this a much smoother process. The airplane doesn't slam down on the struts after landing now.

Dry runways are very unforgiving of any crab angles (where the nose isn't pointing exactly down the runway because of a crosswind). The key to a smooth landing is a nice touchdown while eliminating the crab angle that even the slightest crosswind can cause. A wet runway makes the tires less 'grabby' at touchdown, essentially.

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