Doesn't a parachute need some free fall before being completely deployed? Plus there would be no way of gliding somewhere safe to land.

A small rocket can be used to deploy the parachute from low altitude. This is already in use on some light aircraft today. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ballistic_Recovery_Systems#Com...

Powerless plane makes parachute landing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kQyrPVIIQdE

This is a vehicle that allegedly requires no training to operate and might even be autonomous; parachuting requires a shit-load of training.

The ballistic rescue parachute is attached to the top of the drone. It's basically just a big red button that you have to press to deploy (and even that could maybe be automated).