Boeing 777X's Flexible Wings a Game-Changer for Turbulent Flights
The Boeing 777X has been making headlines for its unique feature - its wings can bend upwards by an enormous 26 feet, allowing the aircraft to work with rather than against turbulent air.
This flexibility is a result of the aircraft's new carbon-fibre composite wing, which is longer and far more slender than its metal predecessor. The combination of these features allows the wing to flex dramatically in gusty air, reducing drag and fatigue.
The 777X's wings are designed to bend upwards by around 26 feet (7.9 meters) when encountering turbulence, rather than fighting against it. This 'unconstrained' wing design is a result of a century of aeronautical engineering, which has taught us that bending is better than breaking.
To accommodate the aircraft's large wingspan, Boeing designed hinged, folding wingtips that can be folded upwards when the plane taxis to the gate. This innovation allows the 777X to use ordinary 777 gates without modifications.