Abstract
In order to investigate the lateral stability of parafoil, a series of wind-tunnel tests were made with a downscaled model. First, forces and moments on it were measured by a balance. Sideslip angle was a major parameter of the test. It became clear that parafoil had the lateral stability even when no control was made, which is considered mainly due to the unhedral effect of the canopy shape. Secondly, the dynamic test was made with a one-degree-of-freedom rotating device. If parafoil had a sideslip angle, it would rotate toward the direction of decreasing the angle as long as it has the lateral stability. From these test results, the lateral stability of parafoil was discussed.
