Disclosed herein are parachute canopies and sliders for use with parachutes. The parachute canopies can include one or more deformable vent panels that can be used to control an inflation rate of the canopies based on an internal pressure within the canopies. The sliders can include strips that form through holes that have a width that distributes a radial load on suspension lines and allow for the use of lower weight, high modulus suspension lines.

Disclosed herein are parachute canopies and sliders for use with parachutes. The parachute canopies can include one or more deformable vent panels that can be used to control an inflation rate of the canopies based on an internal pressure within the canopies. The sliders can include strips that form through holes that have a width that distributes a radial load on suspension lines and allow for the use of lower weight, high modulus suspension lines.

A device to orient a riser of a parachute. The device can include a twist body that is includes a slot through which the riser passes. The slot includes a twist to change the orientation of the riser from a relatively high-profile orientation to a relatively low-profile orientation. The device can also include a link to connect the riser to the suspension lines on the canopy.

A device to orient a riser of a parachute. The device can include a twist body that is includes a slot through which the riser passes. The slot includes a twist to change the orientation of the riser from a relatively high-profile orientation to a relatively low-profile orientation. The device can also include a link to connect the riser to the suspension lines on the canopy.

The present disclosure provides danger avoidance apparatuses and related methods, such as for use to avoid avalanches. An apparatus may include a container configured to couple to a user, a lift providing mechanism, a descent control mechanism and at least one rip cord engaged with the container and selectively operable by the user. Both the lift providing mechanism and the descent control mechanism may be movably coupled to the container between a packed position within the container and a deployed position exterior to the container controlled via the at least one rip cord. The lift providing mechanism may include an airfoil that provides lift to the user at a first velocity of the user along a first direction. The descent control mechanism may control the descent and reduce the velocity of the user along the first direction from the first velocity in the deployed position.

A parafoil for operation at high altitudes, in low density air, or at low airspeeds, and methods for opening same. Some versions of the parafoil comprise flexible members connected to the parafoil canopy. When the parafoil canopy is in a stowed configuration, the members are deformed, storing elastic energy. When the canopy is released from its stowed configuration, the members spring back to their undeformed shapes, thereby opening or assisting with opening the canopy. The flexible member may also be attached to a base structure, which is attached to the payload. The members may comprise rods or hollow tubes that can be flexed using a fulcrum near the base structure, or a spacer plate, so that the ends connected to the canopy are restrained by a parachute bag containing the stowed or packed canopy. The parachute bag can be opened prior to or during detachment of the parafoil from the flight vehicle.

A parafoil for operation at high altitudes, in low density air, or at low airspeeds, and methods for opening same. Some versions of the parafoil comprise flexible members connected to the parafoil canopy. When the parafoil canopy is in a stowed configuration, the members are deformed, storing elastic energy. When the canopy is released from its stowed configuration, the members spring back to their undeformed shapes, thereby opening or assisting with opening the canopy. The flexible member may also be attached to a base structure, which is attached to the payload. The members may comprise rods or hollow tubes that can be flexed using a fulcrum near the base structure, or a spacer plate, so that the ends connected to the canopy are restrained by a parachute bag containing the stowed or packed canopy. The parachute bag can be opened prior to or during detachment of the parafoil from the flight vehicle.

A device to orient a riser of a parachute. The device can include a twist body that is includes a slot through which the riser passes. The slot includes a twist to change the orientation of the riser from a relatively high-profile orientation to a relatively low-profile orientation. The device can also include a link to connect the riser to the suspension lines on the canopy.

A device to orient a riser of a parachute. The device can include a twist body that is includes a slot through which the riser passes. The slot includes a twist to change the orientation of the riser from a relatively high-profile orientation to a relatively low-profile orientation. The device can also include a link to connect the riser to the suspension lines on the canopy.

A device to orient a riser of a parachute. The device can include a twist body that is includes a slot through which the riser passes. The slot includes a twist to change the orientation of the riser from a relatively high-profile orientation to a relatively low-profile orientation. The device can also include a link to connect the riser to the suspension lines on the canopy.