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The Unique Features of the CarterCopter

This thread is intended to hone in on some of the features that make the CarterCopter unique and also why it has the potential to change aviation.

The principle claims of the CarterCopter are :-

1. It introduces new technology only now possible
   • (new composite monoconstructed rotor)
   • (new concept for 'unloading' the rotor at high speed)
   • (new composite monoconstructed propellor)
   • (radical new pitch control techniques)
   • (new crash absorbing landing gear)
2. It will be able to do vertical take-offs and landings at gross weight
3. It will be able to fly at high-altitude and at high speeds
   (cruise at 40,000 ft at 400MPH True Airspeed)
4. It will have a very long range,
   (est 2000 miles)
5. The prototype now uses a water cooled V8 Corvette engine
6. Will offer a previously unheard off L/D ratio
7. Will Significantly lower costs of manufacturing and maintenance of a VTOL craft

These claims are all quite bold for a craft with a rotor. No one else in history has achieved all the above not even for propellor craft let alone a rotor craft (but many may have achieved parts of the above)

But Jay Carter regularly points out that there is no magic in what he is doing - it is just the way he is doing it !.

The flying significance of the CarterCopter is in being able to take-off in a city centre and fly coast-to-coast (in most continents) non-stop and in a short time and at low fuel cost in a relatively low-cost craft. Faster (point-to-point) than most if not all existing corporate executive transport.

The elements of the Cartercopter that attract the greatest (and justifiable) skepticism, are many :-

1. Flying a rotor craft faster than 230 MPH
2. Doing vertical take-offs and landings at 3000lb gross weight with an unpowered rotor system
3. Achieving 400 MPH at 40,000 ft with a V8 engine
4. Avoiding the rotor buckling at high speeds
5. Maintaining a stable turning rotor at high speeds
6. Dealing with high-speed reverse air-flow over the retreating rotor blade
7. A craft as heavy as the CarterCopter using both a tilting-spindle and collective pitch control

In a series of following writeups I will attempt to answer as many of the above issues as I can.

Cheers

Doug Marker

THIS SITE = www.internetage.com.au/cartercopters/