SHEAR WIND STRENGTH REQUIRED FOR DYNAMIC SOARING AT RIDGES

Abstract

Dynamic soaring is a flight method for extracting energy from horizontal wind the strength of which varies with altitude and which is termed shear wind. Behind ridges, significant shear wind conditions can exist so that dynamic soaring is possible. An optimal control technique is used for determining dynamic soaring trajectories at ridges for maximizing the energy transfer from the moving air to the sailplane. Particular emphasis is placed on achieving results for the required shear wind strength.