GROUND EFFECT:
       Also known as the "wing in ground effect," it happens as an aircraft approaches the ground. As the plane approaches the ground,
         the plane experiences a  dramatic drop in drag. This effect starts when the aircraft is one wingspan off the ground and increases until the most noticable
         effects are noticed at one half the wingspan. This effect has cause trouble for new pilots, and has been taken advantage of by the Russians
         as they developed an aircraft that is made to fly close to the ground. This aircraft is called the Ekranoplan as is pictured below.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/af/A-90_Orlyonok_1.JPG
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:A-90_Orlyonok_1.JPG



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