Streaklines over an elliptical planform wing (Prandtl's minimum-induced-drag geometry). Flow attaches smoothly at the leading edge, transitions to turbulence aft of mid-chord, sheds a turbulent wake, and rolls up into trailing wingtip vortices.
Flight Conditions
Boundary-layer state
LaminarTransitionTurbulent
Color encodes local turbulence intensity sampled by each fluid tracer. Drag to orbit · scroll to zoom.