If the same angle of attack is maintained in ground effect as when out of ground effect, what happens to lift?

When an aircraft is operating in ground effect, it benefits from a reduction in the downwash created by the wings due to the proximity of the ground. This phenomenon occurs when the aircraft is close to the surface, typically within a distance equal to one wingspan. In this scenario, if the angle of attack remains the same as it would be when the aircraft is out of ground effect, the lift generated by the wings actually increases.

The primary reason for this increase in lift lies in the reduced induced drag that occurs in ground effect. Induced drag is a byproduct of lift; as lift increases, induced drag typically rises as well. However, in ground effect, because the downwash and vortex strength are reduced, the overall induced drag is less for the same amount of lift. Therefore, while the lift increases due to the effects of ground proximity, the induced drag decreases simultaneously.

This interplay leads to a situation where the aircraft can generate more lift with less drag, allowing for improved performance during takeoff and landing phases when in ground effect.