Abstract: A parafoil for supporting a flying machine, which parafoil has a forwardly extending central section open at the front to scoop in air during flight, and wings attached to the rear of the central section and which receive air into the interior thereof either directly or from the central section, said wings being divided into compartments of equalized pressure, and restraining elements attached to the parafoil central section in front of the parafoil wings and to the outer ends of the parafoil wings, thereby in flight to hold down the front of the parafoil central section and hold down the parafoil wings in an inverted U-shape.