What happens to lift and drag when an aircraft enters ground effect?

When an aircraft enters ground effect, the lift increases and drag decreases. Ground effect occurs when an aircraft is flying close to the ground, typically within a wingspan distance. In this state, the airflow around the wings is influenced by the surface of the Earth, which alters the pressure distribution over the wings.

As the aircraft gets closer to the ground, the induced drag, which is a byproduct of lift generation, decreases. This reduction in drag allows the aircraft to achieve a higher lift-to-drag ratio compared to when it is at a higher altitude. Additionally, the air pressure beneath the wings increases due to the proximity to the ground, which enhances lift.

Therefore, the correct understanding of what happens in ground effect is that lift increases while drag decreases, allowing for more efficient performance during the landing and takeoff phases.