The following United States Patent Application #20020030136, was filed last month ( March 14, 2002 ). Perhaps it should have been filed on the morning of April 1.
"Three methods of deploying safety parachutes from a helicopter for landing it in case of an accident are shown. They solve the problem of the
parachutes becoming tangled with the large propeller of a helicopter in such circumstances. Additionally,
speed reduction jets are provided to reduce the falling speed of the helicopter to achieve its safe landing.
Inflatable air bags are provided on both sides of its belly and
inflatable tubular gaskets are provided around the door joints for sealing these joints such that when falling onto water, the helicopter would float safely to await for rescue. Inflatable air bags are also provided to reduce the impact of the helicopter upon landing on the ground."
