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Just below the leading edge near the tip of this Ryanair 737 wing, the 3 flat plates look like vortilons, is this correct?



This KLM 737 seems to have them as well...



But why doesn't this westjet 737 have them?

I am puzzled. The 737-NG has three vortilons on the outboard aspect of each wing. One on each wing may be missing according to the CDL.

So why is the Westjet bird missing them? It's clearly an NG wing. Perhaps the angle is just so that they cannot be seen?

DocLightning wrote:

I am puzzled. The 737-NG has three vortilons on the outboard aspect of each wing. One on each wing may be missing according to the CDL.

So why is the Westjet bird missing them? It's clearly an NG wing. Perhaps the angle is just so that they cannot be seen?

Must be the angle.You can clearly see them in this photo:

Viscount724 wrote:

Must be the angle.You can clearly see them in this photo:

I've got an easier explanation: you can totally see them in Stephen8's OP WS photo, but they happen to be the exact same color as the terrain below. Enlarge that photo and look real close. The vortilons are totally installed right there.

I feel kinda dumb now.

DocLightning wrote:

Viscount724 wrote:

Must be the angle.You can clearly see them in this photo:

I've got an easier explanation: you can totally see them in Stephen8's OP WS photo, but they happen to be the exact same color as the terrain below. Enlarge that photo and look real close. The vortilons are totally installed right there.

I feel kinda dumb now.

Good spot sir, thanks for confirming they're vortilons

DocLightning wrote:

I've got an easier explanation: you can totally see them in Stephen8's OP WS photo, but they happen to be the exact same color as the terrain below. Enlarge that photo and look real close. The vortilons are totally installed right there.

I feel kinda dumb now.

Would've never noticed them if you hadn't said that. Pic really does look like they aren't there.

DocLightning wrote:

I've got an easier explanation: you can totally see them in Stephen8's OP WS photo, but they happen to be the exact same color as the terrain below. Enlarge that photo and look real close. The vortilons are totally installed right there.

I was going to do the same. You beat me to it...There goes my respect rating...

These were installed when winglets were added. The 767 also gets them when the winglet mod is done.

DL_Mech wrote:

These were installed when winglets were added. The 767 also gets them when the winglet mod is done.

As you can see here, they are also present on aircraft without the winglets: http://www.b737.org.uk/images/wing_ng.jpg

On the 767, vortilons are present on the 764 only, as explained in this fascinating read: http://cf.alpa.org/internet/alp/2001/feb01p22.htm

Also, as you can see here, 767 winglet installation does not include vortilons: http://www.aviationpartnersboeing.com/p ... _300er.php

DocLightning wrote:

As you can see here, they are also present on aircraft without the winglets: http://www.b737.org.uk/images/wing_ng.jpg

I wonder if it is a L/N thing?

DocLightning wrote:

On the 767, vortilons are present on the 764 only

Doc, you had me thinkin' I was losing my mind.......

DL_Mech wrote:

Doc, you had me thinkin' I was losing my mind.......

OK, that is weird.