Airfoil Lift & Drag for a parachute descent
Simulate a parachute descent live in your browser. This runs the real Airfoil Lift & Drag solver — adjust the inputs, watch it respond instantly, and export the result. No install, no account.
Controls
Presets
Lift rises almost linearly with angle of attack — until the airflow separates and the wing stalls, losing lift sharply. Drag has a fixed part plus induced drag that grows with lift squared and shrinks with aspect ratio. The lift-to-drag ratio, peaking at a modest angle, is the single number that governs a wing's efficiency.
Data Inspector
Governing equation
Runs locally in your browser — free forever. Scale to the cloud when reality gets heavy.
About this simulation
The full Airfoil Lift & Drag tool models a parachute descent with the same numerics engineers and scientists use — running entirely client-side. Change any parameter and the result updates in real time, so you can build intuition, check a design, or teach the concept without spreadsheets or installs.
More you can do with Airfoil Lift & Drag
Other ways to simulate a parachute descent
Frequently asked questions
- How do I simulate a parachute descent?
- Open this page and use the live Airfoil Lift & Drag tool below — set your inputs and the simulation runs instantly in your browser using real numerics. No install, no account needed.
- Is it free?
- Yes. The simulation runs free in your browser. A one-time unlock or a Pro plan adds advanced parameters, saved presets, data import, and clean exports.
- Can I use my own numbers?
- Absolutely — every input is adjustable, and with data import you can drive a parachute descent from your own measurements.