Originally Posted by Brent
This thread is fun!
Actually aircraft do experience ground effect. When an airplane (small, single engine general aviation aircraft here) gets within a wingspan of the ground the air under the wings is compressed. This thicker air provides more lift so instead of settling down onto the surface the airplane tends to float above the surface before landing. So flying within a wingspan of the ground is considered to be in ground effect.
Of course what is considered "ground effect" in automotive terms may be completely different in aviation terms.
Sonoronos, your explanations are good so could you please explain a little more what ground effect is for cars?
Brent,
Thanks you make a good point. I always thought that airplanes had a different term "Wing In Ground Effect" but I must be mistaken. Also you're flattering me a bit here, I just know what I know and try to keep things correct in my head. Thanks for the correction.
As for cars, ground effect simply means that the presence of the moving ground is taken into account when attempting to reduce drag and produce aerodynamic downforce.