- #1
jgeating
- 36
- 0
I have done a large amount of searching and have not come across anything substantial for a personal alternative to a parachute in the form of a glider. I started by looking at Batman (don't stop reading just because I mentioned a movie) and trying to think of anything even remotely practical that could do what his cape could. Completely aside from the electronic morphing aspect, does anyone have any thoughts on the possibility of the following aerodynamic decelerator:
-instantaneously deployable
-reduce to 10-15mph horizontal velocity in a full flare
-can carry/run with on one's back
I am not looking for anything supernatural, just something that one could jump out of a truck moving say 40mph, or off the top of a 20 ft building, and land safely with. I had some sort of glider in my mind, much smaller than a hang glider, but nothing like a wingsuit either. Again, something close to the size of batman's cape would seem reasonable, but to carry and deploy it seems like the challenge. One possibility was modified tent poles, but I haven't thought of any real specific details.
I would love to build and test this for a project have in fluid mechanics. I also have my own hang glider, which I can easily come to a full stop with a well timed flare. I imagine a good flare should leave one running or doing a well timed tumble for a glider the size of batman's cape.
I don't know if I'm just missing something major, or if no one has had any motive to develop this area better, but I have not seen anything one way or the other why this is or isn't possible.
Please let me know your thoughts,
-Josh
-instantaneously deployable
-reduce to 10-15mph horizontal velocity in a full flare
-can carry/run with on one's back
I am not looking for anything supernatural, just something that one could jump out of a truck moving say 40mph, or off the top of a 20 ft building, and land safely with. I had some sort of glider in my mind, much smaller than a hang glider, but nothing like a wingsuit either. Again, something close to the size of batman's cape would seem reasonable, but to carry and deploy it seems like the challenge. One possibility was modified tent poles, but I haven't thought of any real specific details.
I would love to build and test this for a project have in fluid mechanics. I also have my own hang glider, which I can easily come to a full stop with a well timed flare. I imagine a good flare should leave one running or doing a well timed tumble for a glider the size of batman's cape.
I don't know if I'm just missing something major, or if no one has had any motive to develop this area better, but I have not seen anything one way or the other why this is or isn't possible.
Please let me know your thoughts,
-Josh