Editing Landing (section)

== Parachutes ==
[[File:950318 STS67 Endeavour landing.jpg|thumb|right|A drag chute is deployed by [[Space Shuttle Endeavour|Space Shuttle ''Endeavour'']] during landing ]]

The term "landing" is also applied to people or objects descending to the ground using a [[parachute]]. Some consider these objects to be in a controlled descent instead of actually flying. Most parachutes work by capturing air, inducing enough drag that the falling object hits the ground at a relatively slow speed. There are many examples of parachutes in nature, including the seeds of a [[dandelion]].

On the other hand, modern [[ram-air parachute]]s are essentially inflatable wings that operate in a [[gliding flight]] mode. Parachutists execute a flare at landing, reducing or eliminating both downward and forward speed at touchdown, in order to avoid injury.<ref name="USPA">{{cite web|url = http://www.uspa.org/SIM/Read/Section4/CategoryA/tabid/176/Default.aspx#1d|title = Canopy piloting skills|access-date = 6 September 2011|last = United States Parachute Association|author-link = United States Parachute Association|year = 2008|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20151015024346/http://www.uspa.org/SIM/Read/Section4/CategoryA/tabid/176/Default.aspx#1d|archive-date = 15 October 2015|url-status = dead}}</ref>