Minimal model of the flying trapeze swing as a parametric oscillator
flier is a point mass (white circle)
flying trapeze lines (white) are massless, just act as constraint
flier pumps swing by effectively shortening and then lengthening pendulum length at particular part of swing (initiated at 20° to left of centerline, timed to last 1/8 of approximate oscillation period
drag is viscous, i.e. constant fractional reduction in velocity per unit time
red circles indicate last two peaks of swing
red line is perceived weight, blue line is gravity (1 g), for reference
Press "ready" button to get ready, "hep" to take off
adjust amount of curl in/force-out and drag using input boxes below (before or during swing), and remember to press "Set" button to make change take effect