What happens to drag in a power approach when using wing-mounted vortex generators?

Using wing-mounted vortex generators in a power approach causes a slight increase in drag. Vortex generators are small devices that are placed on the wings to effectively manage airflow over the wing surfaces, particularly at high angles of attack. They work by creating controlled turbulence, which helps to delay flow separation and maintain lift.

While this improvement in lift can be beneficial for aircraft during approaches and landing, the introduction of vortex generators does create additional surface area and disrupts the laminar flow over the wings, leading to a slight increase in drag. This is because the vortices generated can add resistance to the airflow.

In essence, the primary benefit of using vortex generators is to enhance lift and control of the aircraft at lower speeds, especially during critical phases such as landing. However, this enhancement comes at the cost of a minor increase in drag, which is an important consideration for flight engineers when assessing aircraft performance during landing approaches.