Talk:Wingtip vortices

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Trailing wingtip vortex production is generated from the mixing of chord wise fluid flow over the airfoil due to motion of the airfoil and span wise fluid flow over the wingtip due to fluid flow from the area of high pressure (under the lifting surface) to the area of low pressure (top of the lifting surface)which will disrupt the smooth cord wise fluid flow over a lifting surface thus reducing lift known as induced drag, thus a lifting surface tip vortex seriously reduces efficiency, causing drag, and therefore a consequent penalty in fuel consumption and affecting performance levels. As a lifting surface moves through the fluid, this curling fluid flow action due to the mixing of chord wise and span wise fluid flows causes a spiraling vortex of fluid to be formed at the tips of lifting surfaces. As a consequence aircraft generate a pair of long-lived counter-rotating trailing wake vortices from both wingtips which have a high kinetic energy content that represents a potential safety hazard for following aircraft. To minimize such safety risk there is imposed procedural separation standards between consecutive operating aircraft. Current wake vortex separation standards between consecutive aircraft contribute significantly to the capacity utilization constraints of congested airports.