DeltaFree:
Ground effect will not reduce as the machine slows in fast and low flare, it is purely a product of the lift being produced close to the ground and so will relate to rotor speed and incidence, so long as the machine is flying level at a constant height above ground the ground effect will remain constant but the ground cushion will vary.
Aha, caught me in a technicality! Excellent! Yes, I probably should have worded it thusly: the product of ground effect will diminish as airspeed reduces. That is, until the forward speed is at zero and the rotor must alternatively start producing lift by increasing the collective pitch. Umm...right?
Buqqery! Just when you think you've helicopters pretty much figured out someone will ask a question without a quick and easy answer. Lucky I've got you lot for new perspectives.