>Ground effect actually begins the height above the ground that equals the >width of the wingspan, and is most pronounced at half the width of the >wingspan (where we feel its effects the most). Ground effect for fixed >wing aircraft is defined as the effect that the proximity to the ground >has on the airflow patterns about an aircraft's wings. It effects ALL >fixed wing aircraft regardless of engine or not, or wingspan length. It >has the gradually increasing effect of "straightening" the airflow out >over the wings reducing drag giving a performance increase with out the >associated drag component that exists at altitude. BY canceling the >wingtip vortices, which restores tip lift, and smoothing airflow over the >rest of the wing, reducing drag the airplane gets this performance >increase. For more on this see The Airplane Flying Handbook printed by >ASA and available at nearly any pilot shop, Sportys, AS&S, King Schools, >and more. And while you are at it, check out the Handbook of Aeronaut
That is why much of the early part of the flight of the Voyager around the world flight was down next to the water. However, the 1/2 figure is where pilots first notice the effect. Larry Severson Fountain Valley, CA 92708 (714) 968-9852 lar...@socal.rr.com
