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How does an Ekranoplan turn?
Designed by Rostislav Alexeyev and used by the Soviet and Russian navies from 1987 until the late 1990s, the ekranoplan flies using the lift generated by the ground effect of its large wings when moving less than four meters above the surface of the water.
How does the ground effect work?
For fixed-wing aircraft, ground effect is the reduced aerodynamic drag that an aircraft’s wings generate when they are close to a fixed surface. The pilot can then fly just above the runway while the aircraft accelerates in ground effect until a safe climb speed is reached.
What is ground effect and how is it caused?
Ground Effect is the name given to the positive influence on the lifting characteristics of the horizontal surfaces of an aircraft wing when it is close to the ground. This effect is a consequence of the distortion of the airflow below such surfaces attributable to the proximity of the ground.
Can the ekranoplan fly?
With its short wings, it looked airplane-like in planform, but would obviously be incapable of flight. Although it was designed to travel a maximum of 3 m (10 ft) above the sea, it was found to be most efficient at 20 m (66 ft), reaching a top speed of 300–400 knots (560–740 km/h) in research flights.
Which is the best description of a ground effect vehicle?
Ground-effect vehicle. A ground-effect vehicle (GEV) is a vehicle that is designed to attain sustained flight over a level surface (usually over the sea) by making use of ground effect, the aerodynamic interaction between the wings and the surface. Among the best known are the Soviet ekranoplans, but names like wing-in-ground-effect ( WIG ),…
How does the ground effect affect an airplane?
The ground effect is a phenomenon that’s characterized by increased lift and reduced drag in response to an airplane’s wings being close to the ground. Share On Facebook Share On Twitter
How tall can a craft go outside ground effect?
A craft which is certified to temporarily increase its altitude to a limited height outside the influence of ground effect but not exceeding 150 m (490 ft) above the surface; and A craft which is certified for operation outside ground effect and exceeding 150 m (490 ft) above the surface.
What was the name of the Soviet ground effect craft?
Led by Alexeyev, the Soviet Central Hydrofoil Design Bureau (Russian: ЦКБ СПК) was the center of ground-effect craft development in the USSR. The vehicle came to be known as an ekranoplan (Russian: экранопла́н, экран screen + план plan, from Russian: эффект экрана, literally screen effect, or ground effect in English).