Gliding parachute

A flexible and inflatable gliding wing comprising aligned upper and lower flexible panels each having a generally rectangular configuration and a length to width ratio in the range of approximately 2:1 to approximately 2.85:1, the panels being connected to one another by a plurality of vertically extending airfoil-shaped ribs extending transversely across the panels at longitudinally spaced locations to define a plurality of cells so that upon inflation of the wing one adjacent set of the longitudinal edges of the panels will be vertically spaced apart to form the leading edge of the wing to permit air to flow rearwardly through the cells, the portion of the upper panel defining the upper wall of each cell having a greater longitudinal dimension than the portion of the lower panel defining the lower wall of the cell, the ribs including side ribs and a center rib between each adjacent pair of side ribs, the center ribs having greater camber height than the side ribs, the ratio of the maximum camber height of the ribs to the chord thereof being in the range of approximately 0.1:1 to approximately 0.2:1, a pair of generally triangular flexible stabilizers each having its base edge secured to, and extending downwardly from one of the side edges of the lower panel, and each stabilizer having an apex positioned at least 50% of the chord aft of the leading edge of the wing, and a plurality of suspension lines connected to the wing and extending downward from the wing in converging relationship to at least one point of attachment for a load, the upper ends of the suspension lines being connected to the ribs to define a plurality of longitudinally spaced and transversely extending rows of suspension lines, the suspension lines being proportioned in length so that during flight the suspension lines impart a longitudinal arcuate curvature to the wing, the ratio of the span of the wing to the vertical distance between the attachment point and the lower panel is approximately 2:1, and the attachment point is in the range of approximately 25% to approximately 45% of the chord aft of the leading edge of the wing.