Abstract: A mid-air aerial recovery system comprising a payload, a parachute, and an aerial engagement apparatus. The parachute is connected to the payload. The parachute has a sufficient size to support the weight of the payload. The parachute has a plurality of suspension lines extending from the payload to a canopy of the parachute. The aerial engagement apparatus is a loop rope fastened to the parachute and extending outwardly beyond the canopy of the parachute. This loop rope forms a reception area. The parachute is a ram-air parachute. The loop rope is fastened at one end to the payload and extends along the suspension lines of the parachute and is attached to a leading edge of the canopy.