Apparent masses and inertia moments of the parafoil

This paper presents a useful method of determination of additional forces and moments which have to be taken into account in analysis of a parafoil or paraglider flight dynamics. They are produced by apparent masses and apparent inertia moments of the air. These masses and inertia moments have strong effects on the flight dynamics of a lightly-loaded parafoil. The equations of motion for the parafoil-payload system are also shortly presented. An analytical method of calculating of the apparent masses and inertia moments is shown. Exemplary results are presented.