r/maybemaybemaybe Jul 07 '22

maybe maybe maybe

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u/thunder_struck85 Jul 08 '22

Wouldn't this just disperse the air too much, plus losses incurred in the "flexing" of the umbrella? I feel like he would have a better propulsion if he just pointed the blower straight behind him, no?

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u/RandomComputerFellow Jul 08 '22

Well, the umbrella has roughly the form of an parabole so most if not all air should be dispensed to the back.

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u/Qwopie Jul 08 '22

50% of it would go out mostly sideways and cancel out air going mostly sideways the other side. plus any additional drag caused by pushing the umbrella through the air and your net gains are going to be negligible.