Light aircraft with inflatable parachute wing propelled by a ducted propeller

Abstract

A para-plane (parachute or parafoil airplane), ultralight, or the like is provided with a ducted propeller or fan to increase efficiency of the powerplant, thus reducing the size of the powerplant required. In addition, the duct may reduce propeller and/or engine noise and enhance safety for pilot, passengers and bystanders. Axial vanes may be provided upstream or downstream of the propeller within the duct to counteract the torque effect of the propeller. In another embodiment, a novel inflatable parafoil may be provided to reduce the effort required to initially inflate a prior art parafoil and reduce the incidence of ground strikes of the parafoil. The inflatable parafoil may be inflated with a buoyant gas such as helium or hot air to further reduce ground contacts and provide limited buoyancy to the aircraft.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.