Ground Effect

When a drone is hovering very close to the ground (within about one propeller diameter), it experiences the ground effect, which temporarily increases lift and stability. This happens because the downward air is reflected off the ground, reducing drag and increasing lift efficiency.

How to Manage Ground Effect:

Hovering Too Close: The drone may feel more stable near the ground, but this effect disappears quickly as you ascend, potentially causing the drone to suddenly dip.
Landing Considerations: When landing, ground effect can make it harder to lower the drone smoothly because it may hover just above the ground due to increased lift.

Training Tip:

Be aware of ground effect when taking off and landing. Increase altitude quickly during takeoff to move out of the ground effect zone, and reduce throttle carefully when landing to avoid bouncing.