Ground effect demonstration - GIF

**Altair** · Aug 29, 2022, 07:07 AM

Ground effect demonstration.

Previously:

Ground effect vehicles
Kometel EK-12 ground effect vehicle - photos and video
A-90 Orlyonok ground effect vehicle - photos
Bartini Beriev VVA-14 ground effect aircraft - photo and video

**Bony** · Aug 29, 2022, 08:26 PM

A slow motion video of a pelican landing would be a more convincing demonstration in my view, as I'm sure extra lift was gained from the updraft provided by the curved surface moving forward underneath.

**hemmjo** · Aug 29, 2022, 08:56 PM

I also think that demonstration is more about the updraft created by the artificial cliff and the apparent wind created by walking. It is like slope soaring. Wind blowing onshore, hits a cliff along the beach and deflects upward. Bird, hang gliders, pilots, all use it.

Pelican the pelicans are using ground effect. They are also so cool to watch.

**Inner** · Aug 30, 2022, 02:36 AM

**Henk Bannink** · Aug 30, 2022, 05:15 PM

Originally Posted by Bony

A slow motion video of a pelican landing would be a more convincing demonstration in my view, as I'm sure extra lift was gained from the updraft provided by the curved surface moving forward underneath.

Yes agree that is called slope lift and is often used by model glider pilots with specific slope soarers. If a column of air (wind aproaches a slope it would move over the slope up to a height of the slope thus creatin lift right in front of the slope.

Ground effect does not create lift but suports an object just above the surface of the ground or water surface with a compressed "bubble". The object still needs propultion and wings although smaller than conventional

**Toolmaker51** · Aug 30, 2022, 10:03 PM

Originally Posted by hemmjo

I also think that demonstration is more about the updraft created by the artificial cliff and the apparent wind created by walking. It is like slope soaring. Wind blowing onshore, hits a cliff along the beach and deflects upward. Bird, hang gliders, pilots, all use it.

Pelican the pelicans are using ground effect. They are also so cool to watch.

Sept 1997. Return trip from Catalina Island back to Long Beach CA, an albatross flew parallel to my course and matched speed, displaying very little effort to do so. Even turned it's head a couple times with a "that's all you got?" look. I think this went on 5 minutes or more, until throttled back entering bay traffic.

Up till then, I was trimming twin outboard V6 Mercury 2 stroke 225hp into most perfect plane attainable over a wind astern 3' chop at 5500 rpm redline. That 31' 6" Chris-Craft Scorpion stand up center console did 60mph in those conditions, broken water ideal for that modified V hull.
So asked why 3 of us partnered on that boat. 2 of us liked offshore fishing, and each a hotrodder.
I told people "because Ferrari's don't float..."

**hemmjo** · Aug 31, 2022, 05:34 AM

Yep, the albatross was slope soaring on your invisible "bow wave", and you were all better for having that awesome experience.

**Toolmaker51** · Sep 1, 2022, 10:02 AM

Originally Posted by hemmjo

Yep, the albatross was slope soaring on your invisible "bow wave", and you were all better for having that awesome experience.

'
Until this instant hadn't occurred to me he might have found/ known the ground effects - boundary layer. He was off the bow, but 10' or 12'. Didn't seem to exert much effort but wing action seemed pronounced, not fast but deep.

It's a good experience and memory. Seems I have a good deal of those regarding various animals, domesticated and otherwise. Yes, some were delicious too.