Do you know when a helicopter operates near to ground it experiences an enhanced performance than at a higher altitude. How does this happen? What causes this increase in performance? Ground effect is the phenomenon which causes this difference. So what is a ground effect?
When a wing is near to a fixed surface, it experiences an increase in lift and decrease in aerodynamic drag. This is known as ground effect. So what are the benefits of ground effect?
Benefits of ground effect
It increases rotor efficiency upto a height equal to the half of rotor’s diameter.
Ground effect may temporarily reduce stall speed during take-off.
The rotor tip vortex is reduced due to ground effect
There is less induced drag
There is more vertical lift
Video Credits: WonderingMindfully
How high is ground effect effective?
Though it seems to be more beneficial, ground effect doesn’t stay for too long. Ground effect is only effective up to altitude equal to half times the diameter of helicopter’s rotor.
What effect does ground effect has on airplane?
While landing pilot may feel like “floating” due to the ground effect. Can we design a vehicle which can utilise ground effect?
Actually there are vehicles which use ground effect to fly, their altitude is restricted to a certain limit. These vehicles are known as Ground effect vehicles.
Video Credits: Helicopter Lessons In 10 Minutes or Less
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