Patent ID: 6565041
Filing Date: 2003-05-20
Classification: B64C,B64D

Abstract:
In an aircraft having a front end, a rear end, a longitudinal axis, a center of gravity and an upper surface, a storable parachute mounted on the upper surface of the aircraft comprising:a canopy having a stored condition and an expanded condition; a plurality of suspension lines having first ends connected to the periphery of the canopy; first and second risers connected by their first ends to the upper surface of the aircraft on either side of the longitudinal axis and by their second ends to second ends of the suspension lines; first means to releasably restrain the parachute in said stored condition on the upper surface of the aircraft; a second means to cause said first means to release said canopy from said stored condition; and wherein the aircraft has a specific center of drag located between the center of gravity and the rear end, the first and second risers being attached to said aircraft at a point located between the front end and the center of gravity at a distance from the center of gravity, such that when said canopy is in said expanded condition, a moment about the center of gravity caused by drag of the canopy is equal to a moment about the center of gravity caused by drag of the aircraft as the aircraft falls.