Ground Effect Tail Weather 
Pilot Institute
MARCH 28, 2025
As seen from the aircrafts tail, the vortex rotates in the anti-clockwise direction on the right wingtip and the clockwise direction on the left wingtip. Vortex size is also affected by proximity to the ground. If youre flying low enough to be in ground effect, the vortex isnt able to fully develop.
Plane and Pilot
JULY 1, 2025
A witness reported that they saw the airplane lift off from the runway and remain in ground effect until it crossed the departure end of the runway. Probable cause(s): The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from trees after takeoff, during high density altitude weather conditions. He had no further memory of the event.
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Professional Pilot
JULY 7, 2025
Child also notes that the AW139’s open tail boom allows the unit to access its hoist equipment while decreasing cabin clutter – an improvement over the Bell 412s that the AW139s replaced. We can load 4 people, have full fuel, and sit there and hover out of ground effect at 70%.” Its power is a game-changer.
Pilot Institute
MARCH 26, 2024
If you’re at a field with no weather reporting, gauge the wind speed and direction using the windsock. Hold this extra power as you enter ground effect. Low-wing aircraft perform better in ground effect because of the wing’s proximity to the ground. It will allow you to fine-tune your approach.
Photographic Logbook
JANUARY 25, 2025
But getting there from Rochester, NY is never a simple task and not only requires the runway to be open with favorable conditions, but the weather between here and there must be amenable to a six hour round trip there and back again. More vintage cred: a V-tailed Beechcraft Bonanza! Oh, because of the purple.
Chess In the Air
JUNE 24, 2022
There was no opportunity to recover and it hit the ground hard, thankfully just out of camera view. The Rifle ASOS recorded a gust of 43 mph from the south: a 100-degree shift in direction, putting it right on his tail. He frequently hosted visiting pilots, providing them with detailed briefings of the area and the weather.
Photographic Logbook
SEPTEMBER 22, 2024
He's at full takeoff power and he's got the tail up! ORA does not fly their pioneer era aircraft above the treetops, but the Pusher climbed out of ground effect and flew along the runway before setting back to the turf at the far end. A little weather en route home. Where is he going?! 1931 Great Lakes (reproduction).
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