PRESS RELEASE
Wichita Falls, Texas: Monday, March 2, 2001
Edited by Rod Anderson
ELITE TEST PILOTS VISIT CARTERCOPTERS
Representatives of Golden Arm Associates (GAA), a private aviation consulting
firm consisting of several U.S. Air Force test pilots or "Golden
Arms," recently visited CarterCopters (CC) to review the CC gyroplane
research and development efforts. The two-day meeting was arranged after
GAA founder, Lt. Col. Paul "TP" Smith, USAF, initiated contact
with Jay Carter, President and principal designer of CarterCopters, upon
reading of CC's revolutionary attempt to break the Mu-1 barrier.
Lt. Col. Smith first met with Carter in late January to see the actual
prototype and obtain a brief overview of the existing program and flight-test
plan. Smith and two of his associates, Major Tom Currie, Jr., USAF, and
Lt. Col. (Ret.) Carl "Hawk" Hawkins, USAF, returned for the
weekend session in February at which Carter provided a detailed briefing
of the CC gyroplane prototype flight-test program. The briefing, plus
a detailed inspection of the CC prototype, convinced GAA of the prototype's
potential for success and licensing opportunities. Upon review of the
session, GAA proposed a professional alliance with the CC program, a proposal
that would provide assistance with all aspects of test-flight management.
CarterCopter test pilots already involved in the project, will continue
their participation in the program. Golden Arm Associates will bring a
team of test program managers to augment current and future test projects
conducted by CarterCopters. A fourth member of GAA, Lt. Col. David Hunter,
USAF, will also lend assistance.
CarterCopters and GAA are currently negotiating a performance-based contract.
Although GAA is comprised of several USAF test pilots, the firm does not
represent the USAF in any official capacity nor does its private involvement
with CC represent any endorsement of CarterCopter L.L.C.
CarterCopters has asked GAA to assist in achieving the following designated
flight-test goals:
- Break the rotorcraft Mu-1 barrier.
- Meet the remaining NASA goals of zero-roll landing, flight above
10,000 feet and a non-stop flight of at least 600 miles. (The first
goal, a zero-roll takeoff, was accomplished in December 2000).
- Achieve the maximum forward speed and the highest Mu possible given
the HP available from the non-turbo engine; without the rotor exceeding
6 degrees of flapping; without the rotor dropping below 75 RPM and
without any pilot taking unacceptable risks.
- Repeat the above, but at 25,000 feet altitude with a turbo-charged
engine.
- Achieve a non-stop flight from Los Angeles to New York City.
GAA PILOTS IN NATIONAL NEWS
Two of the four GAA members have enjoyed national media attention recently:
- USAF Lt. Col. Paul G. Smith. Smith is currently the Joint
Strike Fighter (JSF) Joint Test Force Commander and Chief Government
X-35 test pilot. He leads 22 flight-test engineers and pilots from
the U.S. Air Force, Navy, Marine and UK and oversees the efforts of
Boeing and Lockheed Martin in their X-35 and X-32 flight test programs.
He was the first military pilot to fly the X-35 and the first pilot
to air-refuel an X-designated aircraft.
- Some articles available on the web under Lt. Col. Paul Smith:
- USAF Maj. Tom P. Currie, Jr. Currie leads the CV-22 Integrated
Test Team at Edwards AFB. He directs a diverse 200 person team dedicated
to the testing and development of the CV-22 Osprey for the Air Force
Special Operations Command (AFSOC). Tom was picked to fly the first
CV-22 in a six-hour flight from Texas to Edwards AFB.
Articles available on the web under Major Tom Currie
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