Boeing 737 is one of the most successful commercial aircraft in aviation history. While this aircraft first took to the skies in 1967, it has undergone significant development since then. Especially, the wings have progressed to the extent of garnering attention.
The winglets, playing a significant role in reducing drag during takeoff, became prominent with the Boeing 737 and continuously evolved, enhancing the aircraft’s performance.
But how have these winglets evolved over the years? Nearly all modern commercial jet aircraft feature winglets.
These winglets are aerodynamic devices placed at the tips of aircraft wings to reduce drag and improve performance. They also help reduce the formation of strong vortices curling behind the wingtip as the aircraft cuts through the air. In fact, the initial Boeing 737s did not have prominent winglets. By 2001, winglets were added to the 737-700 and 737-800 models. This was followed by the 737-300 in May 2003, the 737-500 in May 2007, and the 737-900 in October 2007.
Subsequently, Boeing models’ winglets were further developed. The Split Scimitar Winglets, a development towards Boeing’s standard blended winglets, were introduced in early 2014 and offered as an enhancement to existing winglet-equipped aircraft.
Thus, the aircraft now featured two separate parts with the lower part angled downwards to further reduce friction. Following this development, many airlines began equipping their aircraft with this technology.
Moreover, advancements were made in the winglets of Boeing’s MAX models as well. Equipped with advanced technology, these winglets were hailed as the most efficient ones designed for a production aircraft to date, reducing fuel consumption by approximately 2%.
Furthermore, these winglets were designed to be 2.9 meters from the lowest to the highest point, developed to enable the aircraft to perform at its optimum level.
