PowerChute

[Torquimedes]

After using parachutes to emergency-land aircraft, and crashing some of them after forgetting to shut intakes at the same time, I wondered if it would be feasible to build a paraglider-type craft. The answer is no and yes.

No, parachutes in KSP don’t provide lift, so technically this isn’t a paraglider.

Yes, you can build a PowerChute craft which flies with chutes deployed, in true Kerbal fashion.

The PowerChute One launches vertically, flies horizontally with chutes partly deployed, and lands vertically with them fully deployed.

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1. EVA before launching. Do not fall.

2. If you fell, deploy ladder and climb to the top.

3. Right-click the chair and board it. Engage SAS.

4. AFTERBURNER

5. Above 1km, deploy chutes and pitch over.

6. Paraglide! Or, fly a jet engine dragging a pair of chutes across the sky like anchors.

7. When you decide where you want to land, DIVE on it steeply.

8. At 300m the chutes will fully deploy, so cut the jet and SAS.

9. Float to a gentle landing.

10. Leave the chair. Hop down the landing leg.

11. Deploy and climb the ladders to repack the chutes.

12. Do some sightseeing and/or SCIENCE.

13. Climb a ladder. Board the chair.

14. AFTERBURNER

15. YEEEEE HAAAAAAW

Action groups:

1 - deploy chutes

2 - toggle intakes

Abort - toggle intakes and reaction wheels, deploy chutes.

see Powerchute 1.4 on KerbalX.com

Edited February 11, 2015 by Torquimedes

[Ridli Scott]

This is the epitome of a Kerbal ship: Ingenious and hilarious.

[Tex]

Wonderful procedure for flying! Once I get home I'll have to look at the images!

[Yukon0009]

Very nice.....but it is still essentially a jet powered rocket, as parachutes don't give lift. Wonder if 1.0 might change that.

[Torquimedes]

Added KerbalX link to OP for the curious.