On the Dynamic Behavior of Wings Incorporating Floating Wingtip Fuel Tanks

What is it about?

This paper explores a novel aircraft configuration through a wind tunnel experiment in which fuel is stored in a freely floating wingtip. This concept aims to capture the benefits of floating wingtips - which alleviate the loads experienced by an aircraft during turbulence whilst also ensuring efficient flight during cruise by ensuring the wingtips `float’ at the correct angle (other wingtips lock the wingtip during cruise and only release it if they detect turbulence).

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