An aircraft may have a fuselage, a left wing extending from the fuselage, a right wing extending from the fuselage, a tail section extending from a rear portion of the fuselage, and a first engine and a second engine operably connected by a common driveshaft, wherein the first and second engines are configured for freewheeling such that if one of the first and second engines loses power the other of the first and second engines continues to power the aircraft.

An aircraft may have a fuselage, a left wing extending from the fuselage, a right wing extending from the fuselage, a tail section extending from a rear portion of the fuselage, and a first engine and a second engine operably connected by a common driveshaft, wherein the first and second engines are configured for freewheeling such that if one of the first and second engines loses power the other of the first and second engines continues to power the aircraft.

An end guide for a cord attachment device includes a cloth. The cloth is configured to fold over, unto, and overlap itself. The cloth has three portions. The first and second portions are longer than a third portion. The cloth is folded axially about a central longitudinal axis. The central longitudinal axis spans from the proximal end to the distal end of the cloth. The folding causes the first and second portions to overlap. A plurality of flutes are configured in the cloth by a plurality of stitch lines running parallel to each other and extending through first and second sides (the front and back) of the cloth and extending through the overlap of the first and second portions. At least one of the plurality of stitch lines are located between each of the flutes. The flutes span to both the proximal and distal ends of the cloth. First and second portions are folded outwardly away from the plurality of flutes at both the proximal and distal ends and then stitched to the cloth so as to create end channels for the routing of a cover cord (when a cover is used) or a keeper cord. The stitching is perpendicular to the plurality of stitch 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.

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.

Described are a parafoil for operation at high altitudes, in low density air, or at low airspeeds, and methods for opening same. The parafoil comprises 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 members 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.

An aerial delivery apparatus generally includes a platform and an adapter. The platform includes a panel extending laterally between and to a first side rail and a second side rail. The adapter is mounted to the platform and includes a plurality of anchor points whereby a parachute is configured to be attached to the platform. The adapter is configured to transfer parachute forces directly into the side rails of the platform. The adapter can be mounted to the side rails via a plurality of fittings that are mounted between the side rails and the adapter. The side rails can each define respective slots extending longitudinally along the respective side rail. The fitting can be configured to be received at least partially into the slot. Each fitting can include a first aperture defining a central axis extending laterally through the fitting whereby the fitting is secured to the side rail.

An aerial delivery apparatus generally includes a platform and an adapter. The platform includes a panel extending laterally between and to a first side rail and a second side rail. The adapter is mounted to the platform and includes a plurality of anchor points whereby a parachute is configured to be attached to the platform. The adapter is configured to transfer parachute forces directly into the side rails of the platform. The adapter can be mounted to the side rails via a plurality of fittings that are mounted between the side rails and the adapter. The side rails can each define respective slots extending longitudinally along the respective side rail. The fitting can be configured to be received at least partially into the slot. Each fitting can include a first aperture defining a central axis extending laterally through the fitting whereby the fitting is secured to the side rail.

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.