Abstract: An improved cruciform or cross parachute is formed by attaching the adjacent edges of the lateral arms to each other to form a three-dimensional canopy, when inflated, which is substantially square at the top and substantially round at the lower edge. The attachment of the adjacent edges of the arms are such as to provide generally vertical openings or vents through which air can flow outwardly from underneath the canopy, which form “corner air flow jets”, thus allowing use of zero or near zero porosity fabric for constructing the canopy. Attachment of the adjacent edges of the arms at their outer tips forms a continuous hem at the lower edge of the canopy which eases packing and improves reliability. Arm air flow jets of U.S. Pat. No. 5,839,695 may also be included in addition to the corner air flow jets formed by attaching the adjacent arm side edges.

Abstract: An improved cruciform or cross parachute, especially for personnel use, is disclosed. The central section and canopy arms are made from a zero or near zero porosity fabric, and air from underneath the canopy is vented as air venting jets through generally horizontal openings in each of the four lateral arms of the canopy. The generally horizontal openings are centrally located in the upper half of the lateral arms, preferably spaced inwardly 20% of the arm width from the arm edges and preferably at a transition point in the upper part of the arm where a tangent line intersecting the arm surface is approximately 45.degree. from the vertical axis of the parachute. Also, preferably, the opening is formed by horizontal slits. The central section can be made from the standard square crown configuration or, alternatively, effectively enlarged by removing small triangular sections at each of the four corners of the otherwise square crown.

Abstract: A slider type of reefing device physically restricts opening of a parachute canopy through its suspension lines, and hingedly mounts a flow deflecting flap to aerodynamically divert the inflow of inflating air to a ram-air inflated airfoil canopy. Aerodynamic drag of a slider baffle retards descent of the reefing slider and flow deflecting flap on the suspension lines.

Abstract: An airfoil-shaped canopy of a ram air inflated parachute has load point attachments spaced chordwise along all of the ribs which internally separate the inflating air cells. Each load suspension line extending from a payload riser is connected through a load distributing system to at least four canopy load points consisting of a chordwise spaced pair and a spanwise spaced pair of attachments to the canopy.

Abstract: Lateral forces exerted on an air inflated, airfoil canopy of an aerial device during towline launching are balanced by slidable displacement of the coupling between the towline and a flexible guide attached at spaced locations to the aerial device. The flexible guide has a triangular configuration to control the distribution of towing force components and corresponding changes in orientation of the aerial device.

Abstract: The outer airfoil surface portions of a forward gliding type parachute canopy are made from one-piece flexible panels secured to each other along seams extending in transverse intersecting relation to the seams connecting spaced ribs to the outer surface portions to form internal airflow channels. Each panel is substantially equal in length to the spanwise dimension of the canopy.