Wing-in-ground effect vehicles (WIGs) are also referred to as wing-in-surface effect ships (WISES), aerodynamic ground effect craft (AGEC), ram-wing surface effect boats, ram-wing vehicles, air cushion vehicles, hoverplanes, wingships, flying boats and in Russia they are called ekranoplanes. Wing-in-ground effect vehicles fly close to the surface, usually over water, but some designs are amphibious. Basically a wing-in-ground effect vehicle could be considered to be any craft that is designed to take advantage of the reduced drag and increased lift of ground effect.
WIG vehicles and hovercraft are both members of the family of ground effect vehicles. A WIG vehicle rides on a dynamic air cushion, created by its own forward movement, and generates lift by forward speed. A hovercraft has fans that continuously blow up a static air cushion. Once a WIG vehicle goes beyond the maximum ground effect height, it is considered an aircraft.
WIG vehicles can operate over, and take off from, water (large lakes, river deltas, sheltered coastal areas, archipelagos, sheltered seas) and flat surfaces of the earth such as shallows and wetlands, ice and snow. Therefore, no matter where you go in a WIG vehicle, the landing area is always directly below you. Additionally, it is estimated that WIG speeds will be 2-7 times higher than ships and operating costs 1/3-1/5 that of conventional airlines (i.e. no need for a pressurized cabin, more fuel efficient etc.).
Although Transport Canada Civil Aviation does not regulate wing-in-ground effect vehicles, the Special Flight Operations division has been involved in discussions regarding WIG operations with Fisheries and Oceans Canada and the Marine Safety directorate of Transport Canada concerning the development, application and enforcement of legislation, regulations and safety standards for the design, construction, operation and maintenance of air cushion vehicles.