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Correction
[QUOTE=3lr;9720]<> like the boundry layer (usually the lenght of both wings combined) as it provides a cushion of air that has allowed many ocean flying, out of fuel, airplanes to "coast" for many miles and make a safe terra firma landing.
The boundary layer is air attached to a surface. You are referring to ground effect, which reduces induced drag on aircraft wings. Even if an out-of-gas plane entered ground effect at top speed, it would soon coast below stall speed. However, low flying was used to usefully increase the range of flying boats. Bryan Allan also discovered that one should not fly lower than several wave-heights - over water, lower does not keep getting better.
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