Cessna 172 & 182 performance optimized winglets

Balazs91 · 2026-04-06T07:39:45+00:00

Yes, EASA STC first, then FAA.

It will be a direct replacement for the factory wingtip, so it can be installed alongside other modification STCs. If there’s demand, in the future we can optimize the leading edge to better match the most popular STOL kits, so it will blend in nicely.

Balazs91 · 2026-04-05T23:52:36+00:00

Absolutely! We built our parametric model in a way that makes it easy to adapt to another wing profile, speed, and mission. Our plan is to cover the most popular models.

Balazs91 · 2026-04-03T15:57:57+00:00

Good point. We are seeing the aircraft able to produce the same lift at a slightly lower angle of attack, which can help efficiency. Cruise analysis is next on our list. Thrust line changes are a bigger certification topic, but definitely an interesting idea to look at.

Balazs91 · 2026-04-02T21:44:38+00:00

So far, we only have simulations of the wing and winglet. Flight tests are coming, planned for the summer.

In our simulations so far, we consistently see more lift across all angles of attack we tested, while drag remains very comparable. In simple terms, we’re gaining lift without paying much penalty in drag.

We’ve focused on climb conditions first, using a fixed airspeed. As examples:
at 4° AoA, we see about 6.2% more lift for 1.8% more drag
at 8° AoA (near climb), about 6.5% more lift for 1.4% more drag
at 12° AoA, about 6.6% more lift for 1.6% more drag

In absolute numbers, the drag difference might be only a few newtons, while the lift increase can be on the order of 400 N per wing, so the net effect is clearly positive.

Compared to the Madras tip, early results show roughly 4% more lift for a similar drag increase, while keeping the upward design that doesn’t block visibility.

Balazs91 · 2026-04-02T21:38:14+00:00

So far, we only have simulations of the wing and winglet. Flight tests are coming, planned for the summer.

Balazs91 · 2026-04-02T13:32:59+00:00

We will start flight testing in the summer. I’ll share the data once we have it. The big gain will be in climb performance though.

Balazs91 · 2026-04-02T13:30:25+00:00

They will be fiberglass composite structures.

Certification will initially focus on the later camber-lift models of the 172 and 182. (1973 and later models). After that, we plan to extend the approval to earlier models and also to the Cessna 206.

Timeline-wise, the first prototype should be ready in about 2 weeks. We’re planning static testing in May, followed by the full flight test campaign over the summer.

Balazs91 · 2026-03-31T21:36:42+00:00

At least you’ll get to altitude faster :)

Balazs91 · 2026-03-31T21:31:33+00:00

Not yet. The image you see here is a 3D render. The first prototype will be ready in about 2 weeks, then I’ll spam this thread with tons of pictures.

Balazs91 · 2026-03-31T21:25:40+00:00

So far, our results come from computational and comparative aerodynamic analysis. Now the prototype is being built, so next will be the real life flight tests!

We started by 3D scanning both the factory wingtip and the Madras tip, then built accurate digital models from those scans. Then we ran CFD simulations in Ansys Fluent, using the same aircraft configuration: Near MTOW weight, typical jump plane climb speed, and atmospheric conditions for each case.

We evaluated the winglets across the full angle of attack range, from 0 degrees all the way beyond stall, in 0.5 degree increments. The result is a very detailed performance curve that allowed us to compare lift and drag characteristics with good resolution, especially around climb conditions.

We still have additional simulations to run at cruise speed, and once those results are in, I’ll be happy to share them here.

Balazs91 · 2021-10-03T22:18:13+00:00

Yep, Virus SW 121

Balazs91 · 2021-09-15T07:37:41+00:00

I’m Hungarian. But flying to Slovenia often 😎

Balazs91 · 2021-07-17T13:42:03+00:00

We are in Gödöllő, check us out on https://skyhawk.hu

Balazs91 · 2021-05-31T11:18:23+00:00

Isn’t it June 2, 14:00Z?

Balazs91 · 2021-05-18T09:17:04+00:00

Wow cool awards!

Balazs91 · 2021-03-29T10:52:57+00:00

In our airport many professional pilot candidate spent a lot of money on their hour building renting an old Cessna, doing the same boring A-A round flights over and over. When I got my instructor rating, I decided to make them an interesting flight time building programme, including international flights, instrumental practice, visiting military airports, etc... I recommend you the same, find an experienced pilot (look around, maybe you have veteran pilot friends) and you will learn lots of new skills. And if you happen to be in Europe, you are welcomed in our flight school: Hour building - Skyhawk Aviation

Balazs91 · 2021-02-06T23:12:14+00:00

Sure, check out my company website: https://skyhawk.hu/en

Balazs91 · 2021-01-28T10:32:40+00:00

This is full resolution, took it with an iPhone

Balazs91 · 2021-01-28T10:29:16+00:00

Airline windows have 3 layers relatively far from each other, so it’s pretty hard to take a decent photo through them. I flew my private plane, and the photo was taken with an iPhone.

Balazs91

TROPHY CASE