First taxi tests of the prototype CarterCopter, a vertical takeoff and landing aircraft capable of high speed flight, took place on Friday, August 21, 1998. The brakes, used for steering as well as for braking, performed well. The aircraft exhibited good weathervaning, a tendency to turn into any crosswind. Steering by differential braking worked well.

The test was prematurely ended when a propeller counterbalance arm was thrown off the prop, destroying the spinner but causing no other damage. The cause was high temperatures inside the spinner leading to debonding of the counterbalance arm. The inside of the spinner and the propeller hub were exposed to 170 degree hot air that had already passed through the radiator, and the room temperature cure epoxy could not maintain strength at that temperature.

To cure the heat problem in the spinner, outside air will be directed into the spinner, and the spinner will be insulated from the hot cooling air. The propeller counterbalance arm attachment will be changed to carbon fiber filaments in tension instead of epoxy resin in shear. Also, the propeller thrust beam, which will still be exposed to hot air, is being replaced with one constructed with a high temperature epoxy.

Further testing is expected to be delayed for two weeks. During the delay, the rudder pedal travel will be increased for lower control forces, various electrical and instrumentation modifications will be made, and the fire extinguisher system will be completed.

The test pilot was Don Farrington, holder of all seven FAA flight instructor ratings and one of the most experienced autogyro pilots.

CarterCopters L.L.C. is funded by private investors and by a Small Business Innovative Research grant from NASA. The company's business plan is to develop the technology for practical high speed rotary wing flight, prove the technology by breaking records, and then license the technology to kit and certified aircraft manufacturers.

For complete information, please see the CarterCopters web site at www.cartercopters.com. Status reports on the flight testing will be posted periodically on the web site.