How does a canopy's air speed, ground speed, and descent rate change with an increase in density altitude?

An increase in density altitude has a significant effect on the performance characteristics of a canopy during descent. As density altitude increases, the air becomes less dense. This reduction in air density results in lower lift generation for a canopy, which causes several changes in its operational dynamics.

Air speed tends to increase because, in less dense air, the canopy needs to maintain a higher speed to generate the same lift that it would in denser air. Consequently, this can lead to an increase in ground speed as well, since the kinetic energy from the air is dissipated more slowly due to the reduced drag effect. The descent rate, too, may increase owing to the canopy's inability to generate adequate lift, which can lead to a faster fall rate.

Therefore, with an increase in density altitude, the air speed increases to compensate for the decreased lift, the ground speed simultaneously increases due to the same dynamics, and the descent rate also rises as the canopy descends more quickly through the less dense air. This change is critical for skydivers to understand as it significantly impacts their landing patterns and safety protocols.