Comparative Research of Wings with Riblets and Wings without Riblets in Terms of Drag Reduction and Lift Produced During Cruising Using Wind Tunnel

Abstract

Energy conservation and aerodynamic efficiency are the reason behind the research into methods to reduce turbulent skin friction drag on aircraft. Skin friction reductions as small as 10 per cent provide the potential for a 250 million dollars per year fuel savings for the commercial airline fleet. One of the ways for passive drag reduction concept is the implementation of longitudinally grooved surfaces aligned with the stream velocity. These grooves are called riblets. For further understanding of the riblets, prototypes of wings with and without riblets will be made and test using wind tunnel. Result from both types of wings will be compared and analysed to determine which type of wing is the better one.