The effects of classical air inlet configurations on the aerodynamic performance of a paraglider airfoil are firstly presented. Followed by conducting gradient-based aerodynamic shape optimization of the baseline airfoil used in the investigation of the classical air inlets. Different air inlet configurations are introduced to the optimized profile, and there effects on the aerodynamic performance are then compared to the initial and optimized airfoils. The Reynolds averaged Navier-Stokes equations (RANS) are solved for the flow field around the closed and open airfoils. The canopy is assumed to be smooth, rigid and impermeable. Results are focused on both of lift and drag coefficients for performance analysis and on the internal pressure coefficient which can be critical for a real flexible wing regarding the risk of collapse.

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