The following notes are based solely on my own experience gained over a number of years of bear bombing under the tight regulations of the BMISS and apply only to the "Sport" of dropping small, furry inanimate cuddlies (known as Para-fauna or Para-flora and more recently para-fungi) from high altitudes lofted by a kite, or on windless days from any suitable high tower or building.
There are many different types of parachute in full size and with Teddy bears we try to simulate most of these. One of the added advantages in the small versions is that you can let your imagination run wild and make all sorts of shapes which will slow the decent of your bear. The main types are listed below and I shall gradually add plans for each.
The first and most common type is the Hemispheric or mushroom 'chute which is easy to make and works well no matter how inaccurate your cutting and sewing. As they are so easy to make a large range of sizes can soon be produced for different weights of bear and varying wind speeds using gore calculator in later page. Whilst decent rate is controlled mainly by overall area the central vent hole has a large effect. If no hole is left the 'chute will oscillate rapidly during decent.
The type of 'chute used in displays regularly seen at shows is the ram air type. These are very efficient and can be steered well. They are however very complex to make in the bear size and although they look fantastic when deployed I have found them problematic. Good plans are available in the Barker/Andrew publication The Big Book of Parachuting Teddies and I have seen these work superbly even in the Poulter/Swift scaled down versions. If I ever get a working variation I will put it on these pages. The new Swift RC version is awaited with baited breath.
A relative newcomer to this end of the market is the Low Aspect Ratio Annular (LARA). I have designed this from some photos The BOF published. It is used by hang glider pilots, amongst others, as their reserve due to its small volume packed relative to its drag. The easiest way to describe it is as a ring doughnut cut in half cross ways.This still leaves a stabilising hole through the centre but the scooped air is trapped. Another major benefit is that the gore sections are such that the top and bottom are inverse of each other and can therefore be cut alternate ways up leaving no waste material.Plans are available here. The plans are as usual for the half gore suitable for fauna of about 6 oz in old money.
A much less seen 'chute is the aero conical (more usually known as the onion) and is one which I am currently prototyping. It has the benefit of being steerable by opening and closing two inverted "L" shaped drive slots. This hopefully lends its self to radio control. Watch these pages.
A recent addition to my collection is the Fast Deploy 'Chute as tested by NATO over a French lake. I have had to draw this up from very vague photos so although the result looks good it is not that fast opening. Plans for this have been published in Kite Flier and have been copied here with a few notes.
We now come to the realms of fantasy which includeThe carochute used for aerial bunnies, The Witches Hat by Doug Manners and Flora the air born sunflower from the house of Swift.
Others which come to mind are the spinning 'chute from Sky Bums, or a simple steamer which does slow the decent a little provided it is long enough and the fauna is light enough. The easiest of all to make if you are away from the necessities of life is a simple square of plastic with a string in each corner.(known as yes Johny of course grandad can do that)
The final and most important one we use is the emperors clothes designed for Telly Tubbies, fluffy snakes, rats and especially annoying little sisters.
Free fall sky diving can be simulated by using very long rip cords but make sure the kite is high enough.(speak to Steve B about this defect) The same applies to bungee jumping but please use a dummy not a bear until you have got heights and weights correct.