Drag Tail Turbulence 
Pilot Institute
MARCH 28, 2025
By far the strongest component of wake turbulence is the swirling air generated at the tips of the aircrafts wings. Key Takeaways Wingtip vortices, not engine exhaust, create the strongest wake turbulence. Wake turbulence can cause severe roll and structural damage to smaller aircraft. How Are Wingtip Vortices Formed?
Ask the Pilot
MARCH 13, 2025
I don’t which part irks me more: the boring typeface, the blank bottom, or the tail emblem, which is a neutered version of the one it replaces. Then we have the tail. GRADE: D-minus MINTY FRESH JetBlues livery features a grab bag of different tail patterns. We were not ready for the turbulence that came before.
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Airspeed Junkie
AUGUST 2, 2024
Notable design changes included the introduction of a swept tail design in 1960 and a new cowl design in 1961, which improved aerodynamics and performance. Micro vortex generators are also a popular upgrade, optimizing airflow over the wing and tail surfaces to enhance control.
Pilot Institute
NOVEMBER 11, 2024
Increased lift on the raised wing immediately creates more induced drag. What’s induced drag? Induced drag is the resistance that happens as a result of creating lift, caused by swirling air around the wings that slows the airplane down. The higher drag on the raised wing reduces its speed relative to the lower wing.
Pilot Institute
FEBRUARY 20, 2025
These control surfaces dictate the aircraft’s roll, and this allows it to bank smoothly through turns or even recover from turbulence. The problem is that the aileron can only be deflected to a point after which the drag becomes significant. Most of the ailerons mass lies behind the hinge, making it tail-heavy.
Airspeed Junkie
JULY 31, 2024
Passenger experience is significantly enhanced on the Dreamliner due to its spacious cabin design, superior air quality, and technologies that reduce turbulence, allowing for a more enjoyable and less taxing flight. Sensors on the aircraft actively adjust control surfaces to counteract turbulence, ensuring a more stable flight experience.
Chess In the Air
JULY 4, 2022
Possible causes include: Rotor turbulence, e.g. on wave days. Once Shmulik was in the pattern the key thing that possibly could have helped him (besides a greater altitude) is a very high airspeed to get out of the sink and safeguard against the sudden tail wind. This is another great point.
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