What is the effect on lift when maintaining the same angle of attack in ground effect?

When an aircraft is in ground effect, its behavior in terms of lift and drag changes significantly compared to being in free air. Maintaining the same angle of attack while in ground effect leads to an increase in lift. This phenomenon occurs because the proximity of the aircraft to the ground reduces the downwash and wingtip vortices generated during flight, leading to a more efficient lift generation process.

Additionally, the induced drag decreases in ground effect. This happens due to the reduced span-wise flow of air and the alteration of the airflow patterns around the wings, which minimizes the strength of the vortices at the tips of the wings. Therefore, when maintaining the same angle of attack in ground effect, the combination of increased lift and reduced induced drag enhances the overall aerodynamic efficiency of the aircraft.

Understanding this principle is essential for pilots, particularly during takeoff and landing phases, where ground effect plays a critical role in performance.