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MENTAL MODEL · M6264

Ground Effect

Ground Effect
TechnicalHigh supportFluid Mechanics
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Version 1.0.0 · Updated 2026-07-28

CORE DEFINITION

Ground effect (Wing-In-Ground effect, WIG), also known as ground effect or Wing-In-Surface-Effect (WISE), is a fluid dynamics effect that reduces induced drag and allows an aircraft to achieve a higher lift-to-drag ratio than in free flight: when a moving aircraft is very close to the ground (or water surface), the pressure difference between the upper and lower surfaces of the entire aircraft increases, causing a sudden increase in lift. The former Soviet Union used this effect to develop multiple ground-effect vehicles and conducted actual test flights. This phenomenon occurs when the airflow generated by an aircraft or a racing car is influenced by the ground or water surface. It is mainly used in two areas: Racing cars use specially designed underbodies to generate downforce, increasing the normal force on the tires, thereby improving grip performance. Ground-effect vehicles (Wing-In-Ground Vehicle, Ground Effect Vehicle GEV) are special aircraft that use the strong upward lift generated by ground effect to fly.

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Ground effect (Wing-In-Ground effect, WIG), also known as ground effect or Wing-In-Surface-Effect (WISE), is a fluid dynamics effect that reduces induced drag and allows an aircraft to achieve a higher lift-to-drag ratio than in free flight: when a moving aircraft is very close to the ground (or water surface), the pressure difference between the upper and lower surfaces of the entire aircraft increases, causing a sudden increase in lift.

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When the wing is close to the ground or water surface, ground effect increases lift and reduces induced drag.

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Source support: Explicit

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    zh.wikipedia.orghttps://zh.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E5%9C%B0%E9%9D%A2%E6%95%88%E5%BA%94ZH · Explicit
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