Airbus develops wing fairing to reduce larger engine drag penalty

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Airbus engineers have applied for a US patent on a wing root fairing technology the company says can reduce the drag penalty that comes from installing larger engines on existing airframes.

 

Speculation has been growing that the company may be considering installing larger diameter Pratt & Whitney geared turbofan (GTF) engines on a new and improved Airbus A320, a move that would require the aircraft to accommodate the GTF's larger diameter fans. Airbus has denied any intent to do so however.

 

More (including drawings) here: http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2009/...ngine-drag.html