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Carter Aviation Technologies is a research and development company, pioneering new aviation concepts. Our primary focus is the slowed-rotor compound aircraft, a vertical takeoff and landing aircraft that uses the rotor for takeoff and landing, and a small, efficient wing for high speed flight, up to 500 mph, all with much less complexity than a tilt-rotor or other vectored thrust vehicle. We successfully demonstrated the slowed rotor concept with the CarterCopter Technology Demonstrator (CCTD), the first and only aircraft to reach mu-1 (more info).

This Month at Carter

2008-05-05

• Began testing the rotor for our new 4-Place PAV prototype in the test pit. As per our usual conservative approach, we will perform many test runs on the rotor, incrementally increasing the rpm. Thus far, we have reached 250 rpm, with a planned maximum of 450 rpm (.95 Mach tip speed). During flight testing, we will limit the rotor to a maximum of 400 rpm, which will only occur for max performance jump takeoffs. The automatic mechanical collective and jump takeoff rotor pitch control appears to be working well. We are making a slight adjustment to the spring rate, and will continue testing this week.
• We are working with Greg Richter (founder & CEO of Blue Mountain Avionics) to develop our avionics, data collection system, video, auto pilot, electronics, and controls for the tilting mast, rotor rpm, wing angle of attack, and for optimizing propeller efficiency. He visited our facility this month to see the aircraft and kick off the project.
• Received the actual Lycoming IO-540 that will be used in the aircraft (as opposed to the non-functioning version we previously used for layout purposes), and have begun making the engine mount.
• Continued work on the horizontal stabilizer. Per advice from Greg Richter, we mounted antennas inside the horizontal stabilizer, and then bonded the skins together. Performed the prefinish on the outboard vertical stabilizers that will be bonded to the horizontal stabilizer.
• Bonded carbon reinforcement to the strongback around the bracket that will hold the rotor mast.
• Installed a conduit down the length of the tail boom for running wire.
• Installed the wing root fairing & began prefinishing the underside of the fuselage.
  
  

  Rotor in Test Pit Lycoming IO-540 Engine Horizontal Stab & Tail Boom Outboard Vertical Stabilizer

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