Editing Wingtip device (section)

== Benefits ==

By reducing drag, wingtip devices increase [[fuel efficiency]] and aircraft [[Range (aircraft)|range]]. [[Aircraft performance]] is increased, allowing reduced takeoff field length due to better climb performance, and increased cruise altitude and cruise speed. Takeoff noise is also reduced.<ref name="McLean Boeing" /> In [[glider (sailplane)|glider]]s, reduced induced drag results in a higher cross-country speed, again increasing range.<ref name="bca_aero_17_wingtip_devices" /> Wingtip devices can also enhance safety for following aircraft, by reducing the strength of [[wingtip vortices]].

[[U.S. Air Force]] studies indicate that a given improvement in fuel efficiency correlates directly with the causal increase in the aircraft's lift-to-drag ratio.<ref>{{cite book |url= https://download.nap.edu/cart/download.cgi?record_id=11839 |title= Assessment of Wingtip Modifications to Increase the Fuel Efficiency of Air Force Aircraft |publisher= National Academies Press |date= 2007 |page= 33 |isbn= 978-0-309-38382-0 |author= Committee on Assessment of Aircraft Winglets for Large Aircraft Fuel Efficiency |work= Air Force Studies Board – Division on Engineering and Physical Sciences }}{{dead link|date=March 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

The average commercial jet sees a 4-6 percent increase in fuel efficiency and as much as a 6% decrease in in-flight noise from the use of winglets. Actual fuel savings and the related carbon output can vary significantly by plane, route and flight conditions.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The impact of winglets on fuel consumption and aircraft emissions |url=https://www.cirium.com/thoughtcloud/impact-winglets-on-fuel-consumption-and-aircraft-emissions/ |access-date=2022-08-02 |website=Cirium }}</ref>