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Winglets

Fly-by-wire 

An industry leader

An industry leader

Airbus has pioneered the use of wingtip devices in aviation for decades, beginning with its cornerstone A300 and A310 jetliner programmes.  Both were outfitted with components called wingtip fences – which help reduce the spiral-shaped vortices that form at the wingtips of any aircraft during flight, creating aerodynamic drag.

These wingtip devices – which are arrow-shaped surfaces attached to the tip of each wing – enhance the overall efficiency of aircraft, saving fuel by reducing drag while also lowering noise emissions by improving take-off performance.

Experience gained with the A330/A310 was applied to Airbus’ initial wingtip fences for the A320 Family, which measure 2.4 metres in height.  They were followed by the incorporation of wingtip fences and larger winglet-type devices on the A330, A340, A380 and – in the future – Airbus’ new-generation A350 XWB.

The best gets better

Airbus’ next step is the large Sharklets™ wingtip devices, representing the latest element in an ongoing continuous improvement programme for its best-selling A320 Family.   

AirAsia – a low-cost airline in Asia as well as Airbus’ largest A320 Family airline customer – became the first operator to receive a Sharklet-equipped jetliner in December 2012 with delivery of the milestone A320ceo aircraft.

Offered as optional equipment on new production A320-series aircraft, the Sharklets also are included in the new A320neo versions of Airbus’ single-aisle family jetliners – which also incorporate two new engine options for further fuel savings and enhanced performance.

In design Fly-by-wire