I wanted to start a discussion about ekranoplane, a fascinating and unique class of aircraft. Ekranoplanes, often called "wing-in-ground-effect" (WIG) vehicles, are hybrid machines that utilize the ground effect to generate lift and essentially skim over the water's surface. These vehicles have been around for several decades, but they continue to captivate the imagination of both aviation enthusiasts and engineers alike.
One of the most famous ekranoplanes is the Soviet-built Caspian Sea Monster, which was an enormous machine with the wingspan of a Boeing 747! Ekranoplanes were initially developed for military purposes, offering a blend of the capabilities of both ships and airplanes. However, their potential applications have expanded over the years to include search and rescue, cargo transport, and even tourism.
