Which component decreases drag?

Which component decreases drag?

• A. Winglet
• B. Flaps
• C. Aileron
• D. Spoiler

Answer: (A)

Wingtip devices called winglets reduce induced drag. When a wing generates lift, air tends to curl around the tips, creating vortices that waste energy and add drag. Winglets disrupt those vortices, lowering the strength of the induced drag and improving the lift‑to‑drag ratio, especially at cruise speeds. Flaps increase lift for takeoff/landing but also add more drag. Ailerons steer by altering wing shape and surface area, which can create extra drag when used. Spoilers deliberately add drag to help slow the airplane or descend, so they increase drag rather than decrease it. So, the winglet is the component that decreases drag by reducing wingtip vortices and induced drag.

Wingtip devices called winglets reduce induced drag. When a wing generates lift, air tends to curl around the tips, creating vortices that waste energy and add drag. Winglets disrupt those vortices, lowering the strength of the induced drag and improving the lift‑to‑drag ratio, especially at cruise speeds.

Flaps increase lift for takeoff/landing but also add more drag. Ailerons steer by altering wing shape and surface area, which can create extra drag when used. Spoilers deliberately add drag to help slow the airplane or descend, so they increase drag rather than decrease it.

So, the winglet is the component that decreases drag by reducing wingtip vortices and induced drag.