Parasails. Are they possible now?

[passinglurker]

So I remember a while back there being some discussion about using a specially shaped parachute part as a wing for controlled gliding landings and it was deemed as impossible due to the state of the old aero-model at the time. Well now the aero-model has changed and I remember after 1.0.x hit some of the mod chutes went screwy and started making people fly sideways so my question is "is it possible now?"

[Axelord FTW]

I don't see why they shouldn't.

Of course, they'd need to work in a much different manner than regular parachutes (which, if I'm not mistaken, are non physical and just put up a point over the ship with huge drag).

It would need to work like some of the variable geometry wings out there. Going from null drag to a specific wing model.

[Normal123]

Hi, I made a powered paraglider a while back, probalby in version 0.22 or something. I had to use FAR for obvious reasons and KAS to support the wing, but it was flying as a charm. For my wing I used a set of unchanged stock wings and due to their mass they needed a support pylon but when in the air I could just decouple it. The steering was possible as I used reallife method of changing the position of the whole wing/sail. Here is a screenshot of it flying http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=287869896. If you have any questions feel free to PM me.

[Alshain]

In stock aero, parachutes are not considered a lifting body, just a drag body. The new stock aero is certainly a better fake, but it's still a fake. FAR theoretically should simulate lift on any surface, including parachutes, because it doesn't rely on artificial lift assignments on the parts.

[Beale]

It's almost certainly probably possible, but I don't think anybody knows exactly how to do it.

The gliding that happened in the change to 1.0.X aerodynamics was due to incorrectly calculated drag-cubes (I.E. if you can pre-define the right shape it will glide).

Edit: Also possible Squad patched out the gliding behavior between 1.0 and 1.0.4.

Edited August 24, 2015 by Beale

[windows_x_seven]

I once attempted doing one of these in KSP.

I failed. Miserably.

Chutes do not generate lift, even in FAR. They only generate drag.

[Lt Vax]

This would be interesting, it's also got me thinking about Blimps and Hot Air Balloons.

[Guest]

This would be interesting, it's also got me thinking about Blimps and Hot Air Balloons.

Hot air balloons are basically impossible in KSP, as there is no real thermodynamics engine for air, etc. It's only for part heating, unfortunately. It would be cool to try to make something like that though. They made deadly reentry when heating wasn't added yet.

- - - Updated - - -

I once attempted doing one of these in KSP.

http://www.poweredparaglidingcolorado.com/about_ppg/IMG_9052.jpg

I failed. Miserably.

Chutes do not generate lift, even in FAR. They only generate drag.

You'd have to remove the drag characteristic, and sometimes in FAR, even lifting body effects don't work right.

PART{
    name = parachuteSingle
    module = Part
    author = HarvesteR
    mesh = model.mu
    scale = 0.1
    node_stack_bottom = 0.0, -0.120649, 0.0, 0.0, -1.0, 0.0, 0
    node_attach = 0.0, -0.120649, 0.0, 0.0, -1.0, 0.0
    sound_parachute_open = activate
    sound_parachute_single = deploy
    TechRequired = start
    entryCost = 0
    cost = 422
    category = Utility
    subcategory = 0
    title = Mk16 Parachute
    description = The Mk16 Parachute might be considered by some to be little more than a random stitching together of the surplus parts it is, in fact, made from. But the fact remains that the Mk16 has been widely accepted as a generally better alternative to being in freefall.
    attachRules = 1,0,0,1,0
    mass = 0.1
    dragModelType = default
    angularDrag = 3
    crashTolerance = 12
    maxTemp = 2500 // = 3100
    emissiveConstant = 0.7
    stageOffset = -1
    bulkheadProfiles = size0, srf
    bodyLiftMultiplier = 0

    MODULE
    {
        name = ModuleParachute
        semiDeployedAnimation = semiDeploySmall
        fullyDeployedAnimation = fullyDeploySmall
        invertCanopy = true
        autoCutSpeed = 0.5
        capName = cap
        canopyName = canopy
        stowedDrag = 0.22
        semiDeployedDrag = 1
        fullyDeployedDrag = 500
        minAirPressureToOpen = 0.04
        clampMinAirPressure = 0.04
        deployAltitude = 1000
        deploymentSpeed = 0.12
        semiDeploymentSpeed = 0.5
        chuteMaxTemp = 650
    }
    MODULE
    {
        name = ModuleTestSubject
        environments = 4
        useStaging = True
        useEvent = False
    }

        //These two would have to be removed
    MODULE
    {
        name = ModuleDragModifier
        dragCubeName = SEMIDEPLOYED
        dragModifier = 0.33
    }
    MODULE
    {
        name = ModuleDragModifier
        dragCubeName = DEPLOYED
        dragModifier = 12
    }
}

//You'd need to add this too
    MODULE
    {
        name = ModuleLiftingSurface
        useInternalDragModel = True
        deflectionLiftCoeff = 5.0        // 16,5m^2
        dragAtMaxAoA = 0.6
        dragAtMinAoA = 0.0
    }