Longitudinal Flight Mechanics of Paraglider Systems

Abstract: This project outlines a cost-effective numerical simulation method for the analysis of the longitudinal mechanics of paraglider systems. It is built on static stability methods for the analyses of low subsonic aircraft, non-linear lifting line methods for aerodynamic parameterization, and frequency domain analysis methods derived from system theory. Paragliders possess a glide polar in the range of ≈ 25-60 km.h−1 and display underdamped dynamic responses dominated by a long-period mode. The simulation results for performance and dynamic response are qualitatively valid relative to experimental data and in the same order of magnitude.