Originally Posted by
Fl1ingfrog
oggers, where does the increase in force come from? Surely your triangle of forces shows a decrease in the vertical impact and therefore must increase the horizontal force impact: i.e. the dry stone wall. Following the landing the drag from the surface will also form a part which will then absorb the energy further before eventually impacting with the wall, when all energy is then dissipated and comes to rest.
Hi, it is a triangle of velocities not forces. The video states that the vertical speed would be reduced by drifiting in the wind - which it won't. That is what the diagram addresses, not impact forces per se. The important thing is that the vertical speed is not reduced by drifiting with the wind. It follows that the vertical acceleration experienced on hitting the ground is not reduced either.
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For anyone tempted to believe the proposition that the vertical speed of the aircraft/canopy can be reduced by drifting with the wind, simply ask yourself at what wind speed you think the whole contraption will begin to climb back up to altitude.