Minor Surface Features
Vortex generators, root fillet, flap,
anti-shock body and wing fence
Additional minor features may be applied to an existing aerodynamic surface such as the main wing:
- High-lift devices - some of these are visible aerodynamic features:
- Slot - a spanwise gap behind the leading edge section, which forms a small aerofoil or slat extending along the leading edge of the wing. Air flowing through the slot is deflected by the slat to flow over the wing, allowing the aircraft to fly at lower air speeds. Leading edge slats are moveable extensions which open and close the slot.
- Flap - trailing-edge (or leading-edge) wing section which may be angled downwards for low-speed flight, especially when landing. Some types also extend backwards to increase wing area.
- Wing spanwise flow control devices :
- Vortex generator - small triangular protrusion on the upper leading wing surface; usually, several are spaced along the span of the wing. The vortices re-energise the boundary layer and thereby both reduce the stall speed and improve the effectiveness of control surfaces at low speeds.
- Wing fence - a flat plate extending along the wing chord and for a short distance vertically. Used to control spanwise airflow over the wing.
- Vortilon - a flat plate attached to the underside of the wing near its leading edge, roughly parallel to normal airflow, used to increase lift and reduce stalling at low speeds
- Notched leading edge, dogtooth leading edge
- Leading edge extensions of various kinds.
- Anti-shock body - a streamlined "pod" shaped body added to the leading or trailing edge of an aerodynamic surface, to delay the onset of shock stall and reduce transonic wave drag. Examples include the Küchemann carrots on the wing trailing edge of the Handley Page Victor B.2, and the tail fairing on the Hawker Sea Hawk.
- Fillet - a small curved infill at the junction of two surfaces, such as a wing and fuselage, blending them smoothly together to reduce drag.
- Fairings of various kinds, such as blisters, pylons and wingtip pods, containing equipment which cannot fit inside the wing, and whose only aerodynamic purpose is to reduce the drag created by the equipment.
Read more about this topic: Wing Configuration
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