What must a pilot be aware of as a result if ground effect?

Ground effect refers to the increased lift and decreased drag that an aircraft experiences when it is close to the ground, typically within one wingspan above the surface. As a result, pilots must be particularly aware of how ground effect influences their aircraft's performance, especially during landing and takeoff.

When an aircraft is in ground effect during landing, induced drag decreases significantly due to the airflow patterns around the wings being altered by the proximity to the ground. This reduction in drag can lead to a false sense of performance, where a pilot might find it easier to maintain altitude or accelerate during the landing phase. If the pilot is not aware of this, it can lead to an unintended float during landing, making it difficult to gauge precisely when to touch down.

Understanding this dynamic is critical because misjudging the effects of ground effect can result in longer landing distances and potential landing overruns or mishandling of the approach. Therefore, recognizing the ways in which induced drag decreases as a result of ground effect is essential for safe aircraft operation during the critical phases of flight such as landing.