This paper presents a comprehensive study on the drag and stability performance of a rigid parachute characterised by the vent ratio, canopy size and angle of attack, using a combined approach of Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations and physical drop-test experiments. CFD simulations were conducted to obtain numerical results for drag forces, pressure gradient, and flow patterns surrounding the parachute, considering the rigid nature of the parachute and incorporating realistic environmental conditions, providing a detailed insight into the aerodynamic forces acting on the parachute during descent. To investigate the real-world applicability, a series of drop-tests were performed.