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for information contact:
Anita C. Infante, 309 853-5328
For Immediate Release - April 2007

Carter Releases New PAV Designs

Wichita Falls, TX - Carter Aviation Technologies (Carter) of Wichita Falls, TX has released two new designs for their revolutionary, Slowed Rotor/Compound (SR/C) Aircraft technology. Last year Carter released the design of their next generation aircraft, a Personal Air Vehicle (PAV) with 2+2 seating. The PAV 2+2 prototype is currently being built with completion scheduled for late this year. To further introduce the PAV, Carter began demonstrating the CarterGyro last year to showcase some of the basic SR/C technology that would be embodied in the new PAV.

The CarterGyro demonstrations generated so much interest in this smaller vehicle that Carter decided to develop a design for a 2-place PAV. According to Carter President, Jay Carter, Jr., "When we featured the video on our website of the CarterGyro doing jump take-offs to more than 150 feet we started getting requests from all over the world to buy the gyro. We had already worked on several designs for a 2-place gyro to be used as a training vehicle for the larger PAV, but we weren't looking at them as production aircraft. The amount of interest we have received changed our minds." The new aircraft, which is viewed as an entry-level PAV, is a pure autogyro. The aircraft is configured with tandem seating with the back seat set higher than the pilot's seat for a full view outside the cockpit. The cabin is fully enclosed with a sliding, bubble canopy that can be removed for open cockpit flight. Empty weight for the aircraft will be about 700 lbs. with a maximum gross weight of 1300 lbs. The rotor and propeller will be very similar to the ones on the CarterGyro giving the new PAV dramatic jump take-off capability. The landing gear, however, will be upgraded to a trailing arm gear. The new gear will still allow cushioned, zero-roll landings but will also increase safety in rolling over rougher ground. Cruise speeds are estimated at 120 mph - 130 mph depending on the use of either a Rotax 912S engine or the 914 turbocharged version.

The second design upgrades this 2-place autogyro to a full SR/C gyroplane. Wings are added so the rotor can be unloaded for high-speed flight. Other control systems added include an in-flight tilting mast and moveable horizontal stabilizer for high-speed control; a constantly variable, automatic, mechanical, rotor pitch control; and ailerons in the wings. The additional components will add about 50 lbs. to the empty vehicle weight, but will increase the cruise speed to about 165 mph at 10,000 ft. and 175 mph at 17,500 ft. based on the use of the turbocharged Rotax 914 or 145 mph at 5,000 ft. using the Rotax 912S. In this configuration the aircraft will have VTOL capabilities with cross-country speed and range similar to that of many fixed wing aircraft.

Both the autogyro and the gyroplane designs are being developed so that they can be manufactured as extremely fast build, manufacturer assisted, kit aircraft for entry into the marketplace. The two designs are also being engineered so that an upgrade kit will be made available. This will allow those who purchase the first, 2-place autogyro to eventually upgrade to the gyroplane design by purchasing a SR/C upgrade kit.

For more information on Carter and other SR/C aircraft designs visit: www.CarterAviationTechnologies.com

PLEASE NOTE: Jay Carter, Jr. will be giving a Forum on Carter's Technology and the new, PAV designs at Sun 'n Fun on Saturday, April 21st at 10:00 AM. (Please check Forum times on the SnF grounds for any last minute time changes)

Images:

Pure Autogyro SR/C Variant