Many student pilots notice that their airplane seems to float just above the runway during landing. This is due to ground effect, an aerodynamic phenomenon that every pilot should understand. Ground effect occurs when an airplane is flying close to the surface, usually within a distance equal to the wingspan of the aircraft. The presence of the ground reduces wingtip vortices and downwash, which in turn reduces induced drag and increases lift.
What is ground effect?
- By Eric Radtke
- Oct 2, 2025 /*= /* @noEscape */ //$socialIconsHtml */?>
Posted in Ask a CFI