news
for information contact:
Anita C. Infante, 309 853-5328
For Immediate Release - March '06

"Carter FutureFlight-I" to Take to the Air

Wichita Falls, TX - After making aviation history by breaking through the μ-1 (Mu-1) Barrier* in June of 2005, Carter Aviation Technologies (Carter) is about to prove the validity of their unique aviation technology in the 'real world' with the introduction of their newest prototype.

Carter President and Chief Engineer, Jay Carter, Jr., reports, "Our original prototype was the proving platform for all of our research and development for more than a decade. It was an impressive, five-place aircraft. However, as a very small company we only had one prototype so its systems were constantly being tested, re-tested, improved and then tested again. In the seven years that we flew the original prototype it only made one public flight in 2002. In order to broaden visibility for our technology we have made the decision to downscale our next demonstrator and build more prototypes. In 2004 we designed a two-place, Personal Air Vehicle (PAV) under a NASA STTR Award in cooperation with Georgia Tech. We are now ready to prototype a revised PAV design. As a first step, we are set to unveil the first CarterGyro Demonstrator/Trainer (CGDT)."

Carter believes that aircraft based on their patented Slowed Rotor/Compound Aircraft Technology will eventually replace the family car for trips over 200 miles. To prove their point they are planning "Carter FutureFlight-I." The flight plan is from Atlanta, GA to Tampa, FL with the final destination an aviation event in Lakeland, FL. The flight is scheduled to leave Atlanta on April 3, 2006. The uniqueness of the flight is explained by Anita Infante, Carter's Marketing Coordinator for General Aviation, "When fully developed, Carter's PAV technology will allow a small, four-place aircraft to be parked in your garage and you will be able to take-off on a vacation trip from your own backyard. You will be able to stop for fuel at an automotive gas station, visit a restaurant for lunch and spend the night at a hotel by landing on their air vehicle ramps next to their auto parking lots. Carter FutureFlight-I is going to showcase this capability. The CGDT will leave from a hotel in Atlanta and then "drop-in" at gas stations, restaurants, attractions and other hotels along the flight path. To our knowledge, this will be the only aircraft flight of this kind ever made and should provide a tremendous amount of visibility for our technology and for our sponsors."

The newest Carter demonstrator is a somewhat standard tube-frame autogyro, but with the added Carter Landing Gear and Carter Propeller it will have much improved safety and performance including the ability to do very short take-offs and drop-in landings. These technological improvements allow the CGDT to act more like an automobile than an aircraft. In looks, the CGDT resembles what one might think of as an aerial motorcycle. The main purpose for the development of the CGDT is to provide a demonstration platform and training vehicle for future Carter designs. According to Jay Carter, Jr., "This newest prototype will demonstrate our very basic technology. Then each additional prototype will showcase improved developments. The most impressive will be our 2 - 4 place Personal Air Vehicle. Ultimately, the landing gear strut, propeller and eventually the rotor on the CGDT will be fitted to the PAV. Plus, the CGDT will be a good flight-training platform for our future aircraft since its flight characteristics will be similar." Carter plans to release their new PAV design at a Press Conference during Carter FutureFlight-I. Since some elements of the PAV will have been flight-proven on the CGDT Carter expects to have the PAV prototype ready for flight-testing in early 2007. Carter believes their PAV will revolutionize transportation not just the aviation industry.

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For More Information on Carter visit: www.CarterAviationTechnologies.com

*Why is μ-1 important:

μ is the ratio of the forward speed of an aircraft to the tip speed of its rotor relative to the aircraft. Normal helicopters fly at a μ of approximately 0.3. This means the rotor tip speed is roughly three times greater than the forward speed of the aircraft. In order to keep a rotor stable each blade of a rotor has to provide the same amount of lift. In forward flight the retreating blade of the rotor moves in a direction opposite that of the air-craft. This results in less airspeed on that blade. Therefore, as the forward speed of the aircraft increases the airspeed on the retreating blade decreases. At a μ of 1 the forward speed of the aircraft and the tip speed of the retreating blade are equal, therefore, the air velocity at the tip of the retreating blade is zero and there is reversed airflow over the entire length of the blade. At this point, the retreating blade can provide very little lift and because its airflow is reversed this blade and the rotor become very unstable. For this reason, sustained flight at μ-1 or higher was previously thought to be impossible. Carter technology should allow flight speeds up to a ratio of μ-5 (where the aircraft is traveling at speeds up to 500 mph and the tip speed of the advancing rotor blade remains under mach 0.9).

Carter Aviation Technologies
Anita C. Infante, GA Marketing & Licensing
9729 E. 3000th Street, Kewanee, IL 61443
Phone or Fax 309 853-5328