April 2nd 2002: New CarterCopter Website and New Press release ...
The Cartercopter Website has been revamped to provide a more professional appearance. You can visit the new
website by accessing the normal URL or clicking this link here CC Website
Also there is a new press release summarizing progress to-date and also explaining that in order to make
further advances, the CC team will be building a next generation rotor and computerized controls.
Progress has been terrific for us over the past couple of months. We no longer live in fear of
wondering if the next news from the flight line will be bad or good. The CC concept has progressed
the science of rotary-winged aviation significantly as a result of our efforts. We certainly believe that we
at CC clearly understand the dynamics of what is taking place in the rotor as it attempts to transition from
sub-mu flight to beyond mu-1 (a goal we have come close to at .87 mu, but which no other aircraft company in
the world (that we know of) has ever got beyond .8).
There is a great air of achievement and excitement among our crew and supporters. As always though, we
are operating hand-to-mouth & are working hard at securing more funding to keep us going. The latest press
release spells out much of our efforts in briefing US govt & military agencies who are likely to have an
interest in the advances we are pioneering. If there is anyone else out there in the world who has good
credentials, good funds, and a belief in our mission, we are open to discussions but want to make it plain
that at this time whilst we are seeking further funding (preferably from US government) we will not 'give away
the farm' just to move ahead.
We plan to be at Oshkosh with the CarterCopter Technology Demonstrator this year with or without the next
generation modifications.
Because this current phase of testing has pushed the current craft to its limits of achievement, there will
be no more major announcements about new advances or records until we have the mods built and tested. Then and
only then will the next major test series begin.
So to everyone who has been following our inch-by-inch progress, we thankyou & advise you to drop by in a couple of
months to find out how we are progressing in both funding and building the modifications.
Cheers - CC Team
March 26th 2002: New CCTD records ...
Altitude exceeded 10,000 feet yesterday ...
On 22nd, a new world record of .87 Mu was reached. Speed at the time was 170mph & rotor RPM was down to 125rpm.
Because of constant gusting & wind conditions, each flight at the moment, is being undertaken with great caution.
The CC is flying in a realm no other aircraft has achieved and as such the pilot's saftey is paramount. One
condition we have been experiencing is a yawing effect as the craft approaches Mu-1, this has been attributed to
the use of two tail fins and the rudders. To reduce this effect we have been triming the size of the rudders & that
seems to be allowing the CC to get closer to the magic Mu-1 barrier.
Testing is continuing - albiet cautiously.
March 14th 2002: New CCTD speed record set ...
Speed got to 171MPH
Not clear on the altitude or rotor rpm.
The CCTD is now so close to setting a mu-1 record !.
March 12th 2002: New CCTD altitude record set ...
Speed got to 156MPH (has been reached once before)
Altitude got to 7800.
(pls excuse lack of reports - have been working 7 days a week for past month & no time for anything else)
But!, if all goes well & the enthusiasm of the test pilots is justified, great things may occur in
the next few days - here's hoping ...
February 15th 2002: New records set ...
Last Friday the CC reached a Mu ratio of .69
Rotor RPM was down to 140
Altitude go to 6500.
A new press release will be issued any day now with more detail. (Go to Press Releases on Main Menu).
January 18th 2002: Testing has resumed ...
A new press release was issued on 17th January (go to Press Releases on Main Menu).
************** 2002 *****************
December 19th 2001: Again More Bests for the CC ...
AIRSPEED: reached 156 MPH.
Rotor Speed at 165.
Mu of .6 achieved
December 18th 2001: Testing resumed - Today, More Bests for the CC ...
AIRSPEED: reached 150 MPH.
Rotor Speed down to 175.
Mu of .55 reached (best yet).
December 6th 2001: Further advances ...
AIRSPEED: reached 141 MPH.
Larry Neal will be away for a few days - testing should resume next week. (Brad King is
the co-pilot with Larry).
December 5th 2001: Further update ...
CC set some new personal bests ...
Duration: Larry Neal kept the CC airborne for 39 mins, 12 better than previous record.
AIRSPEED: reached 135 MPH & rotor RPM was reduced to 190 RPM.
Plan is to push CC to 160MPH & rotor RPM down to 160. Then comes the breakthru when we can
take the RPM down to 100 while flying at 160MPH.
Weather is impacting the programme & we only have 1 more day before Larry needs to attend
to other business. So it may come this week or be part of the next round.
This kind of news is heartening.
December 1st 2001: Latest Situation Report ...
CC is flying again.
To find out the extent of the previous challenges & problems visit the CarterCopters
web site Press Releases (try item 6 on main menu above). A new press release was issued
on 21 Nov 2001.
At this time we are approaching something of a make-or-break stage for this phase of the CC
program. Either we get through the mu-1 barrier soon or we may have conclude the lack of
good funding is an even greater problem to deal with than the on-going technical challenges
& parts failures. There is no doubt that the concepts work. Interestingly the recent
availability of a much more accurate CC simulator via X-Plane Ver 6, has proven to many
of us who have flown it, that the CC can easily fly well above mu-1.
Doug Marker has been able to fly the CC simulator with the rotor speed well below 100 and
airspeed at 180 mph+.
But as eternal optomists, we all hope that the flying taking place right at the moment, is
going to produce the break-through we must have. When any news comes through from Olney. It
will be posted here asap.
Anyone interested in the investment potential should contact Jay Carter. We are actively
seeking enough extra funds to consolidate the current Mu-1 program.
October 2nd 2001: Latest Situation Report ...
Resuming the CarterCopter test program has been delayed by 2 factors :-
The first was the cancellation of leave of military pilots & Rusty Nance is of
course a military instructor & as our chief test pilot, was not available. But
also, one othe problem played a role, this was that a new propellor had been
fabricated with a kevlar spar and unfortunately this material has shown it has
flexing problems under extreme loads. A static test of the new prop while attached
to the CarterCopter resulted in the spar breaking and some further damge was done
to the CarterCopter.
By the time another prop is built and this most recent damage repaired it will be
late October. The new prop will be constructed with a carbon fibre spar as were the
originals.
Sep 1st 2001: Updated Oshkosh photos further ...
As of Sat 1st Sep have added the section in the photos called
'Younger visitors trying the CC on X-Plane Simulator'
plus
'Older visitors trying the CC on X-Plane Simulator'
Qwkilink to the Oshkosh Photos Menu
Aug 25th 2001: Updated Oshkosh photos ...
As of Sat 25th have added the section in the photos called
'Celebrities using the X-Plane Simulator'
Qwkilink to the Oshkosh Photos Menu
Aug 20th 2001: Oshkosh photos & X-Plane useage now available on this site ...
Although the photos we took were published in an official CC press release they had no
captions or details included. At this site we have broken the pictures into categories
and added names & details of the people pictured.
In particular we want to thank the many people who allowed us to photograph them while
flying the X-Plane simulator - everyone seemed to really enjoy this very useful tool
which has now become an important part of the overall CarterCopter program.
As mentioned before, the X-Plane simulator created by Austin Meyer was the hit of the
CarterCopter exhibit.
Qwkilink to the Oshkosh Photos Menu
Qwkilink to info on flying the CC in X-Plane
Aug 6th 2001: CC Grounded after spinner comes apart ...
The CC mods to the mast angle & position were completed during Oshkosh & flying resumed the
week after the show was over.
On Sun 5th Aug just after a take-off, the prop spinner came apart & damaged
the prop. Rusty & Lance landed dead-stick but the prop & a section of one boom
had been damaged - a new prop needs to be built & the boom repaired - an investigation
will also be conducted as to what allowed the spinner to fail.
Incidents like this require careful scrutiny. Because the prop needs to be replaced, it
will be at least 3-4 weeks before flying testing resumes. The new prop will
require extensive ground testing.
For previous newsflashes & updates, use to following links ..
Prior Newsflashes & Updates (Mid 2001 thru to Mid 2002
Prior Newsflashes & Updates (Nov 2000 thru to Mid 2001