Having seen radar altimeter option on SR2, I got an idea that same code can maybe be used for reliable ground effect. It would add a certain amount of effectiveness to wings when close to the ground. Of course, it wouldn't be sudden. Lift would steadily increase as you approach the ground.
For those of you who haven't heard of ground effect, here's a Wikipedia article on the subject.
@EternalDarkness "Lift would steadily increase as you approach the ground" - nope. Ground effect reduces drag, not increases lift. And you can't emulate it just using AGL - too many variables in play. I'm afraid it may require accurate airfoil model and probably finite element wing+environment processing, which I don't think is within the scope of this project
This is a great idea
If it is added we can have a better butter landing for our shuttle and planes!
I have tried making an aircraft to somewhat use the ground effect, but since it is not in the game, it went to no avail.
I would love this for so many reasons, top of which would be more realistic aerodynamics
i started workin gon an Ekranoplan-like vehicle, only to realise there's no ground effect, now i'm stuck with a b747 sized, 12 engine, 1.200 ton vehicle stuck in the water
A few weeks ago, i was testing the DE1, and i had a quadruple engine failure following a tail strike, it was then that i saw, the aircraft took off, but stopped climbing at it’s wingspan altitude. When it passed the overrun part of runway 09 of DSC, it started descending due to the absence of close ground. (Obviously it ditched in the water cos: no energy) i am 95% sure that this was caused by ground effect (the other 5% is coincidence)