Software Refinements Made For Improved Aircraft Control

Wichita Falls, TX-based Carter Aerospace Development said Monday that they have completed the first phase of flight-testing of their new Personal Air Vehicle (PAV). The PAV began flight-testing in October 2010 with the goal of testing and refining the flight control systems for the aircraft. Taxi tests were followed by short hops down the runway and after each test refinements were made to the aircraft controls. During each flight sensors on the aircraft downloaded more than sixty (60) channels of information on the aircraft's performance to the control room computer. Four cameras also recorded the visual performance of the aircraft including the pilots and controls in the cockpit. Almost all flight controls on the PAV are automated and controlled by an on-board computer. During testing the computer software was refined several times to improve flight control and increase aircraft performance.

Carter PAV

The highlights of the Phase I flight-testing were the PAV's first flight pattern on December 2, 2010, the first 30- minute + flight on January 5, 2011 and the first jump take-off on January 18, 2011. According to Carter Aerospace President, Jay Carter, Jr., "We decided to breakdown the PAV flight-testing into two phases so that it would be easier to validate the control functions of the aircraft. For take-off and landing it's an autogyro. For cruise it's a fixed-wing. We've now tested and refined the autogyro segment proving that we have the capability to do jump take-offs and zero-roll landings. This is a huge accomplishment for us. A major advantage of our technology is its vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) capability."

While the PAV only logged a few hours of flight time during Phase I, it completed multiple take-offs and landings, including 8 jump take-offs. Much more extensive flight-testing will take place during Phase II when Carter will add the 45-foot wing section to the aircraft. With the wings added Carter will begin expanding the flight envelope by transitioning the lift from the PAV's rotor to the wing. With lift on the wings Carter can decrease the rotor rpm and increase flight speed. This is the basis for Carter's patented, Slowed Rotor/ Compound (SR/CTM) technology.

FMI: www.CarterAviationTechnologies.com