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Let’s begin by explaining what is meant by ground effect which
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effect, or that phenomena which determines two effects: an
increase in Lift (the force which holds up planes thanks to the
diverse pressures exercised on the surface of a wing) produced
by air which is compressed between the wings and the surface
of the sea thanks to the relative closeness between pairs of
wings and sea; a considerable reduction of drag in comparison
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vortices generated by the difference of pressure on the back
and belly of each wing which cause induced drag.
Alexeev Rostislav Evgenievich a Russian naval engineer was the
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between a seaplane and a boat. It is of no coincidence it was
Above, the CY G11: 13 metres long with a wingspan of
15.60 m.
Sea birds fly skimming the surface of the sea to be more
efficient, meaning they can go further as they tire less! In
this mode they exploit ground effect exactly in the same
way as ekranoplanes, (GEVs).
Above, the Seafalcon: 13.7 metres long with a wingspan
of 11.50 m it can carry up to 8 people. The Russians’
passion for GEVs has never diminished completely: The
Russsian Arctic Trade and Transport Company (ATTK)
has continued with R&D, has built GEVs of several siz-
es and types and in 2006 it launched “Aquaglide 2” a
small easy to steer GEV carrying 4 passengers and 1
pilot. It is little more than ten metres long and 6 across.
It can fly skimming the surface up to 150 – 170 km/h.
Below, a GEV can “park” on the water or on land. “Aqua-
glide 2” in the photos”.