Equations of Flying-Airboat Control Response Determination Movement Due to the Ground Effect

A flying-airboat is a concept of a wing-in-ground (WIG) craft that seeks to take advantage of desirable characteristics within the ground effect, to provide versatile solutions to sea transportation needs in the Southeast Asia region. Previous research has shown that bodies traveling within the ground effect experience an improved lift-to-drag ratio, which translates to significantly better performance. The FAB is a concept that seeks to take advantage of these benefits through a design that facilitates motion entirely within the ground effect. By applying the relevant equations of motion and incorporating various physical design parameters of the concept, a non-linear model can be implemented on the MATLAB/Simulink platform. A simulation of the model shows relative improvements in the performance, response, and stability of the FAB concept subjected to the ground effect as compared to its motion within a free airstream.