Yup, you read that right, this is an aircraft that flies on the basis of ground effect!

not really tho, this game doesent simulate ground effect

So, you might be wondering

"What even is ground effect?"

Well the definition of ground effect would be
"The name given to the positive influence on the lifting characteristics of the horizontal surfaces of an aircraft wing when it is close to the ground."

"Why is it useful in ekroplans?"

Well to put it simply:
Big lift = big drag
Small lift (this) = small drag

Unfortunately theres another question:

Why this is impossible in simple planes

Now theres a lot of physics behind ekroplans and ground effect and all that, so unfortunately simple planes doesent simulate this and instead we see the physics in game.
My ekroplan simulates ground effect by using elevators that go up or down depending on your altitude.
Basically my version has elevators that pitch the plane up when its below 10m and pitch down when above 10m, making the plane bob up and down between 10m and 15m above sea-level.

Putting the sad bit to the side here is how to get going in this thing:

• Push throttle all the way up
• Wait for the ekroplan to reach 260km/h
• It liftoffs by itself
• Dont steer too harsly

And here is what inspired the design

The AirFish 8

Lun-Class