A mathematical model of Helmholtz type for a parachute profile in the presence of gravity

A model of Helmholtz type for a plane inviscid incompressible and potential fluid flow past a curvilinear obstacle of parachute in the presence of gravity is considered. Assuming that the “attack” (wind) flow is unsteady, it is shown that a bounded cavity zone should occur behind the obstacle. The determination of the fluid flow is reduced to a boundary value problem of Volterra type, for a half plane whose solution is explicitly set up, once the unknown separation (jet) lines are found under some approximation hypotheses.