Crab,
Absolutely, there is a very definite settling that occurs during acceleration in ground effect as you get around 8 kn where you catch up with the vortex from the outflowing air. This causes a slight increase in power required. It is far more pronounced if you are a low hover perhaps 2 feet or less, and non existent when OGE. From low IGE conditions, this settling can cause you to momentarily touch the ground.
During exercise that I described you will note some settling but by being a slightly higher IGE altitude usually is not enough to touch the ground.
Last edited by NickLappos; 1st Feb 2011 at 21:37.