Page 36 - World Airnews Magazine December 2020

MANUFACTURER

THOSE CURVED BOEING 787

WINGS

By Jake Hardiman

Folding wingtips are among the new technological innovations set to

be featured on Boeing’s upcoming 777X. Photo: Getty Images

American manufacturer, which resulted in abundance of technology, it can fly faster
numerous fuel-saving factors. One of these than its predecessors, while consuming less
is the aircraft’s striking, curved wing design. fuel.

he curved wings of the Boeing 787
Tare one of the type’s most iconic DESIGNED FOR OPTIMISED FUEL REMOVAL OF THE NEED FOR
features. They render the ‘Dreamliner’ EFFICIENCY WINGLETS
easily recognizable compared to Boeing’s The Boeing 787’s curved wings mean that The swept-back nature of the Boeing 787’s
older single-deck widebody aircraft, such wing flex is a clearly visible phenomenon. curved wings results in the aircraft having

as the 767 and 777. But what are the While it may look unusual or even what are known as ‘raked wingtips.’ This also

reasons for this striking design? disconcerting to see so much vertical wing functions as an alternative option to winglets.
Once again, this feature also contributes
WORKING TOWARDS A GREATER movement, there is a good reason for to increases in both fuel efficiency and,
allowing this to occur.

OPERATIONAL RANGE Boeing states that the Dreamliner’s fly- consequently, operational range. This to

One of the Boeing 787’s greatest selling by-wire technology “…optimises the shape the subsequent reduction in aerodynamic

points for its operators is its very long (or ‘camber’) of the wing automatically to drag caused by vortices that develop as the

operational range. save the most fuel. During cruise, the wing wingtips cut through the air. Boeing’s next

Indeed, earlier this week, Australian flag trailing edge automatically adjusts upward widebody project, the next-generation 777X

carrier used one of its 11 787-9 aircraft and downward to continually optimise the (which will also boast folding wingtips), is

to operate multiple non-stop flights camber for maximum efficiency.” also set to have its wings swept back in such

from London Heathrow to Darwin, in the This technology also minimises the effect a manner, albeit at a lesser angle.

country’s Northern Territory. of turbulence that may otherwise cause a The Airbus A350 is another airliner whose
The airline‘s London-Australia flights disturbance to passengers. It is not just the wings boast a similar sweep angle to the

typically have to make a stop in Singapore. shape of the wing that optimises the 787’s Dreamliner that it was designed by the
The Dreamliner’s range is slightly performance, but also the materials from European manufacturer to compete with.
different among its three variants. which they are constructed. The future of wing design seems set

According to Boeing, the figures are as “The use of composite materials in the to continue to develop in a fascinating

follows: wing structure allows the 787 wing to have manner, as manufacturers continue to

• 787-8 - 7,305 NM (13,530 km) a higher aspect ratio (the square of the strive for optimized fuel efficiency.
• 787-9 - 7,530 NM (13,950 km) wing span divided by the wing area) than Boeing is even looking to re-write the

previous aircraft,” Boeing said.
• 787-10 - 6,345 NM (11,750 km) The result of these various features is rulebook with its Transonic Truss-Braced
Wing (TTBW) airliner. It will certainly be

These statistics are the culmination of something of a perfect combination for interesting to see how wing technology will

extensive research and development by the the Dreamliner’s operators. Due to its evolve in years to come. Q
World Airnews | December 2020
— 34 —