Jay Carter Jr.'s first autogyro built with his father while in college.

A second generation autogyro also built while in college.

"Poor Boy" wind tunnel testing of a 1/6th scale model is accomplished by truck mounting the model on an 8 ft. boom.

Poor boy wind tunnel tests of a scale model rotor, with scaled tip weights and a tilting spindle rotor head with flapping hinge, was tested on a boom in front of a truck. The boom was instrumented to measure lift, tiltback, RPM, and indirectly, flapping. The test indicated that the rotor remains stable up to a forward speed to rotor tip speed ratio of 8. Turbulence and gusts were simulated by trucks passing in the other direction!

Layup of the rotor spar using graphite rovings in an aluminum mold.

Dogleg in the rotor tip to reduce stresses.

For testing of the drive system and flight controls, the stand is anchored to the ground and weighted with 6500 lbs. of concrete block. The operator's compartment is protected by 3/8" steel and 2" tempered plexiglass. The test stand is placed in a 14 ft. deep, 120 ft. diameter earth crater to contain any debris in case of an accident.

Wing plug and molds for the CarterCopter.

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