Retractable vortex generator system for an aircraft , the system comprising: - a skin , - a slot arranged on the skin , - a plate comprising a contour configured for energizing the boundary layer of an air current, and - driving means configured for rotating the plate between a first (A) and a second (B) position; wherein in the first position (A) at least part of the contour of the plate protrudes through the slot , and in the second position (B) the plate is retracted; wherein the contour of the plate comprises at least one protrusion , and wherein the driving means comprises: - at least one movable stopping element , configured to be moved between a non-locking position and a locking position, and - at least one resilient torsion element, configured to be externally actuated so as to rotate the plate in one direction while storing potential energy; wherein when the at least one movable stopping element is moved into the locking position, the at least one protrusion abuts against the at least one movable stopping element , thus releasably locking the plate in one of the first or second positions (A, B); wherein upon movement of the movable stopping element from the locking position into the non-locking position, the plate is released, thus moving from one of the first or second positions (A, B) to the other position (B, A) by means of the stored potential energy; wherein the at least one resilient torsion element is a first torsion spring, the driving means further comprising a second torsion spring counterbalanced with the first torsion spring; and wherein the driving means further comprise a plurality of electromagnets configured for actuating the first and second counterbalanced torsion springs. - a skin , - a slot arranged on the skin , - a plate comprising a contour configured for energizing the boundary layer of an air current, and - driving means configured for rotating the plate between a first (A) and a second (B) position; wherein in the first position (A) at least part of the contour of the plate protrudes through the slot , and in the second position (B) the plate is retracted; wherein the contour of the plate comprises at least one protrusion , and wherein the driving means comprises: - at least one movable stopping element , configured to be moved between a non-locking position and a locking position, and - at least one resilient torsion element, configured to be externally actuated so as to rotate the plate in one direction while storing potential energy; - at least one movable stopping element , configured to be moved between a non-locking position and a locking position, and - at least one resilient torsion element, configured to be externally actuated so as to rotate the plate in one direction while storing potential energy; wherein when the at least one movable stopping element is moved into the locking position, the at least one protrusion abuts against the at least one movable stopping element , thus releasably locking the plate in one of the first or second positions (A, B); wherein upon movement of the movable stopping element from the locking position into the non-locking position, the plate is released, thus moving from one of the first or second positions (A, B) to the other position (B, A) by means of the stored potential energy; wherein the at least one resilient torsion element is a first torsion spring, the driving means further comprising a second torsion spring counterbalanced with the first torsion spring; and wherein the driving means further comprise a plurality of electromagnets configured for actuating the first and second counterbalanced torsion springs. <EOS>