  In this paper, the problem of compressible flow over a thin airfoil located
near the ground is studied. A singular integral equation, also known as Possio
equation, that relates the pressure jump along the airfoil to its downwash is
derived. The derivation of the equation utilizes Laplace transform, Fourier
transform, method of images, and theory of Mikhlin multipliers. The existence
and uniqueness of solution to the Possio equation is verified for the steady
state case and an approximate solution is obtained. The aerodynamic loads are
then calculated based on the approximate solution. Moreover, the divergence
speed of a continuum wing structure located near the ground is obtained based
on the derived expressions for the aerodynamic loads.
