Abstract: The invention relates to a cage-like rescue net which can be attached to a helicopter. The net has a bottom portion forming a floor for persons or articles to be rescued and an outer net like peripheral wall which has at least one access opening. The bottom portion comprises two halves which can be pivoted towards one another, to enclose the remaining portions of the rescue net, about a common axis. The two halves can be fixed in the open position in which they form the floor.

Abstract: A load-carrying net comprises a network of interwoven belts provided with suspension rings for use in suspending the net from suspension tackle of an aircraft, particularly a helicopter. The net has a central load-supporting portion and opposed pairs of arms which are provided with the suspension rings and which radiate outwardly from the central portion. At least some load-carrying ones of the belts are each secured at their ends in an opposed pair of the arms and extend freely through the central portion so that they can make a sliding adjustment in the central portion for load equalization purposes.

Abstract: A fastening hook comprises a loop connected by means of a shank to a hook portion which defines a gap. The gap may be closed by a closure member mounted pivotally and slideably at the upper end of the hook portion. The free end of the closure is open and fits over the hook tip. The closure member is biased into engagement with the hook tip by a spring. Thus to open the gap the closure member is slid linearly out of engagement with the hook tip and then pivoted outwardly.

Abstract: A parachute comprises a canopy having front and rear sections and a base with shroud lines attached to the base at circumferentially spaced-apart locations therearound. A plurality of brake flaps are disposed below the canopy base and between the shroud lines at the canopy rear section and are selectively adjustable between an inactive position wherein the brake flaps are fully slackened and interfere minimally with the inherent flight characteristic of the parachute and an active position wherein the brake flaps are fully extended and effectively brake the forward velocity of the parachute to thereby increase the parachute angle of descent. A set of control lines attached to the brake flaps selectively and adjustably effect actuation thereof between the active and inactive positions to accordingly control the parachute angle of descent.

Abstract: An airfreight pallet comprises a core sandwiched between a pair of cover plates with the edges of the core enclosed by a shoulder strip extending around the periphery of the core and extending between the cover plates and forming at least four edges of the pallet, at least one of such pallet edges being provided with a plurality of openings therethrough communicating with internal connecting member holding structures mounted within the core.

Abstract: The invention relates to parachutes, particularly to a parachute which is able to descend at large glide angles relative to the vertical. The parachute has a vertical plane of symmetry when deployed, and is of simple, economic design and novel shape designed to adopt an aerofoil-like cross-section in its plane of symmetry. Slits are provided in the canopy to allow guidance by the parachutist, and a flow detector over the central canopy vent provides forward thrust and boundary layer control over the rear of the canopy. A dividing wall, transverse to the axis of symmetry of the canopy, forms an open chamber behind the leading edge of the canopy, which is filled with air at near stagnation pressure to prevent collapse of the leading edge at large glide angles.

Abstract: The invention relates to a parachute having a circular canopy and rigging lines secured to the base of said canopy. A continuous strip of material is attached to said rigging lines below the canopy base whereby, during folding up of the canopy during packing of the parachute, a section of the strip between each pair of adjacent rigging lines can be folded in between each respective section of the canopy.