Paragliders' Launch Trajectory is Universal

TL;DR

This study demonstrates that the launch trajectory of a single skin paraglider is universal and independent of traction force, supported by experiments and a simple theoretical model, applicable to full-scale gliders.

Contribution

The paper introduces a universal launch trajectory model for paragliders, validated through reduced-scale experiments and theoretical analysis.

Findings

Launch trajectory is independent of exerted force.

Universal length of take-off run for reaching vertical position.

Theoretical model explains universality.

Abstract

We designed and built a reduced-scale model experiment to study the paragliding inflation and launching phase at given traction force. We show that the launch trajectory of a single skin glider is universal, that is, independent of the exerted force. As a consequence, the length of the take-off run required for the glider to reach its "ready to launch" vertical position is also universal. We successfully compare our results to full-scale experiments, and show that such universality can be understood through a simple theoretical model.