Dynamic simulations are invaluable for studying system behavior, developing control models, and running statistical analyses. For example, paraglider flight simulations could be used to analyze how a wing behaves when it encounters wind shear, or to reconstruct the wind field that was present during a flight. Unfortunately, creating dynamics models for commercial paraglider wings is difficult: not only are detailed specifications unavailable, but even if they were, a detailed model would be laborious to create. To address that difficulty, this project develops a paraglider flight dynamics model that uses parametric components to model commercial paraglider wings given only limited technical specifications and knowledge of typical wing design. To validate the model design and implementation, an aerodynamic simulation of a reference paraglider canopy is compared to wind tunnel measurements, and a dynamic simulation of a commercial paraglider system is compared to basic flight test data. The entirety of the models and example wings are available as an open source library built on the Python scientific computing stack.

Title: Paraglider's lifestyle Objectives: The main aim of this thesis is to find out the impact of paragliding on human lifestyle and to explore the temperament characteristic of paragliders. Methods: The data was collected using a semi-structured interview with five respondents and through standardized EPI questionnaires. The respondents are men between the age of 26 and 37. The interviews were recorded on the recording device and then transcribed into a Microsoft Word document using the Listen N Write application. The questionnaires were evaluated and processed in Microsoft Excel. The impact of paragliding on lifestyle was evaluated through the use of qualitative research processes such as interviews and questionnaires. Comparative methods were used to compare the obtained results with other case studies dealing with lifestyle, motivation, flying and similar sports. Results: The results of the thesis show that the impact of paragliding on lifestyle is significant. The paragliders describe the paragliding group as very different from the ordinary population. They are people who seek excitement, the feeling self-control, and especially want to define themselves. They focus more on the quality of their lives than on material goals. They perceive paragliding as more than just an activity and they...

Title: The effect of paraglider's wear and tear of different performance levels on the flight quality Aims: The main aim of this thesis is to define all main aspects participating in paraglider's wear and tear and changes of flight quality connected with it. Confirmation or non-confirmation of our assumption that paragliders of lower performance levels are wearing and tearing faster than paragliders of higher performance levels, especially because of poor handling by inexperienced pilots is also an important aim of this thesis. Methods: A porosimeter JDC MK1 was used as the main diagnostic tool. We have measured a porosity of skytex, material from which the paragliders are sewn. The total number of paragliders has been 253. Results were presented by using Excel spreadsheet and analyzed by using Pearson correlation coefficient. Results: Paraglider's unequal wear and tear of different performance levels was found. There has been a downward trend in wear and tear on the age of gliders from the category EN B to EN D. Performance category EN A has not been wear and tear on the level that we have expected. Keywords: paragliding, paraglider, skytex, flight quality, porosity

Practice of landing with paraglider is very inefficient since every flight requires lengthy preparation. Therefore paragliding schools look for a more efficient alternative how to train new pilots. A paraglider flying simulator, which is the subject of this Master`s Thesis, could be that alternative. The design of the simulator includes three parts: a mechanical part - a frame to hang a pilot, that is the same as in real paraglider; an electronic part - scanning of pilot`s control actions and control of force in breaks of a paraglider; and a software part - a design of firmware for a microcontroller. Within the Master`s thesis a function prototype has been made.

In this study, the characteristics of the flow around a paraglider wing were investigated through the use of Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations by solving both Reynolds Averaged Navier-Stokes equations and Delayed Detached Eddy Simulations were employed. This allowed the observation of how the unique shape of the canopy of a paraglider can influence the behaviour of the flow and how aerodynamic hysteresis can manifest on this sort of wing. Furthermore, the interaction between the highly deformable structure of the paraglider and the flow was examined through a two-way, loosely coupled Fluid-Structure Interaction (FSI) analysis. The methodology for the FSI analysis was first validated by employing a simplified model of the canopy before the full paraglider wing was analysed. Two different structural meshes were tested, using membrane elements or shell elements, respectively. The membrane element mesh prompted a collapse of the structure, while the mesh presenting shell elements allowed for a successful completion of the analysis.