Study of the flight dynamics of a high-performance paraglider-harness/pilot system

Despite substantial advances in the design, development, and analysis of high-performance paraglider–harness/pilot systems, evaluation methods remain predominantly qualitative and rely heavily on trial-and-error testing and subjective pilot feedback. Quantitative in-flight experimental data for these systems remain scarce, and traditional parafoil–payload models frequently fail to capture the complex geometry, aerodynamic interactions, and dynamic behaviour characteristic of modern high-performance paragliders. The main contribution of this work is the development and validation of an integrated framework for the systematic analysis of high-performance paraglider systems, bridging the gap between high-fidelity multibody dynamic modelling and quantitative flight-test data.

A modular instrumentation platform, Aerodynamic Electronic in-flight Remote Sensing for Paragliders (AERIS-P), was specifically designed to meet the constraints of these systems. A key innovation is the placement of a custom multi-hole Pitot probe directly on the suspension lines to capture relatively undisturbed air data, while ensuring pilot safety through a dedicated detachment mechanism. Relative motion between the system bodies is measured using additional modules installed at different locations throughout the system.

The proposed framework was evaluated through dedicated flight-test campaigns and validated using system identification techniques. This work establishes a rigorous foundation for future paraglider development, moving the field beyond conventional trial-and-error practices toward more reliable, simulation-based design decisions, and advancing the scientific understanding of paraglider dynamics beyond subjective pilot perception.