Behavior of extraction parachutes in the wake of a powered airplane model

Author / Creator

Heinrich, H. G., author

Available as

Online

Summary

The drag and stability characteristics of single and clustered solid flat and ringslot parachutes as cargo extraction systems in the wake of a model of the Caribou airplane with windmilling and pow...

The drag and stability characteristics of single and clustered solid flat and ringslot parachutes as cargo extraction systems in the wake of a model of the Caribou airplane with windmilling and powered propellers are reported. The investigation also includes the effect of actuated wing trailing flaps, and the variation of the parachute performance parameters in midair and near the ground. It was found that in all cases the drag coefficient of the cluster decreases with the increased number of canopies in the cluster, and a single ringslot parachute is more stable than the most stable cluster of solid flat canopies. The effects of the powered propeller slipstream and flap actuation are noticeable but not dominating. Also, wake surveys of the airplane showed characteristic dynamic pressure defects or increases for power off or on flight conditions. The location of these pressure fields was noticeably influenced by flap actuation and ground effects.

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