Holstein13 wrote:
Not saying they work or don't work, but I can tell you that there are many things the airlines could do to save fuel but they don't do it. They could get more fuel efficient engines, install winglets on the end of the wings, put in lithium ion batteries to save weight. Why don't they do these things? Everything must be tested and approved by the FAA. It's a very expensive process. I can not imagine someone pasting air tabs on a commercial jet liner.
They do each and everyone of these. I spent my whole career in aviation and each airline is doing these things. Winglets are being installed on almost every aircraft including the older ones, engines are more and more efficient every year, procedures are implemented to save fuel at all airlines, all airlines taxi around with only one engine when possible as an example, lithium batteries are in the new aircraft see Boeing 787. Vortex generators on aircraft are not used to increase fuel efficiency, they improve airflow at critical speeds and angles of attack.
