Development of Paraglider with the Enhanced Flight Function and Safety (Phase 1 : Installation of Slots at Both Wing Tips of Canopy)
This study aims at developing the paraglider with the enhanced function and safety of flight by performing the simulation and test of flight with two slots at each wing tip of canopy. When the distributions of velocity and shear stress at wall around the canopy were compared, the canopy with slots showed the distribution of less velocity and shear stress at wall significantly than the canopy without slots by confirming the safety of the paraglider. Series of simulation were conducted to achieve the optimal shape of slots by applying various sizes and positions of the slots, resulting nine cases with the better outcome on which flight tests were based. The flight test results in this study confirmed that canopy with slots showed the improved flight function by increasing the maximum velocity, decreasing the minimum velocity, delaying the stall timing significantly and consequently improving the safety of the paraglider. Based on the simulation and flight tests, three cases with the best outcome have been selected for merchandising strategies.