An ultralight aircraft and/or pilot recovery system includes a parachute having a canopy connected by means of a plurality of shroud lines to a first elongated cable having a length to position the parachute clear of the aircraft engine and propeller with a second cable for connecting the parachute to the frame of the aircraft and including a harness worn by the pilot which includes a pouch for containing the canopy folded within an inner pouch to permit the pilot to grasp and toss the chute clear of the aircraft for deployment for recovery of the aircraft. An alternate embodiment provides for connecting the parachute to the harness worn by the pilot and securing the harness to the aircraft to thereby give the pilot the option to recover the aircraft or cut loose from the aircraft for pilot recovery only.
