Carter Aviation Technologies

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Carter Aviation Technologies
Type Limited liability company
Industry Aviation
Founded 1994
Headquarters Wichita Falls, Texas
Key people Jay Carter CEO)
Products Experimental aircraft
Employees 13[1]
Website www.cartercopters.com

Carter Aviation Technologies (also known as CarterCopters) is a privately held[2] aviation research and development company based in Wichita Falls, Texas, United States.

The main focus of the company is developing new technology and then licensing it to other manufacturers for use on production aircraft.[3] Carter sees its role as predominantly that of research and development with the aim of then patenting[4] the aviation technological advances it makes.[5] The company is mainly known for making the CarterCopter.

History

The company (CAT) was founded in 1994[2] by Jay Carter Jr., two years after the partial sale of the wind turbine company Carter Wind Systems,[6][7] now being run by his son Matt.[8] The company is developing the CarterCopter slowed rotor/compound (SR/C) aircraft series, the CarterCopter Propeller System[9][10][11] and a landing gear system.[10][12] According to Carter, the development of the propeller and landing gear was not strictly nescessary, and delayed the SR/C.[13] The teetering blade hub principle used in Carter Wind Systems is also used in Carter aircraft.[13]

Until 2004, CAT received some funding via three Small Business Innovation Research programs from NASA.[14][15]

On June 17, 2005 the company's sole flying technology demonstrator crashed. The aircraft had been flying at 160 mph (257 km/h) when the drive pulley to the propeller drive-shaft bolts failed in flight, reversing propeller thrust. The aircraft was totally destroyed but both crew members were unharmed. The accident set the company's development back at least ten months as a small wingless autogyro was not flown until 2006,[10][16][17][18] and the Carter PAV (a subsequent 4-place manned compound rotorcraft) was not flown until 2011.[16] Design of the PAV was begun during 2005.[19][20] As of January 2014, Carter says the PAV has achieved a speed of 204 mph at an altitude of 16,000 feet, and reached a Mu of 1.13.[1][21]

In 2007, the company modified their strategy from strictly R&D to also include limited production, as potential manufacturing customers were unfamiliar with the technology and would not commit to the large development effort of bringing the concept forward to a product.[22]

CAT paid $20,000 per year in lobbying expenses in 2005 and 2006, but none in 2009 and 2010 to "monitor transportation, defense, budget, technology issues/appropriations".[23][24]

Among the board members is tilt rotor developer Kenneth Wernicke, who engineered the Bell XV-15[25][26][27] as did Jay Carter.[28] Wernicke also worked on the Bell XV-3 and V-22 Osprey.[29]

In October 2009 the company announced it was forming two subsidiaries Carter Aerospace Development, to continue with the Research and Development, and Carter Air Vehicles to manufacture the products.[30]

Jay Carter says he has 58% ownership of the company in June 2012.[31]

On September 6, 2013, DARPA awarded $2,231,816 to Carter for the development of a medium-altitude long-endurance unmanned aerial vehicle prototype in the TERN program ("Tactically Exploited Reconnaissance Node").[32] The goal is an aircraft capable of flying by itself from a small ship (like LCS-2) with a payload of 600 pounds (270 kg) out to an operational radius of 600–900 nautical miles (1,100–1,700 km).[33] Carter views vehicle recovery in rough seas as a significant challenge,[34] and tried unsuccessfully to partner with larger companies.[35] First flight of a TERN demonstrator is expected in 2017.[36] Other recipients include AeroVironment,[37] Northrop Grumman,[38] Aurora Flight Sciences and Maritime Applied Physics.[34]

Agreement with Textron

On November 16, 2009 the AAI Corporation (a division of Textron) signed a 40-year exclusive license agreement[39][40][41] with the company concerning all unmanned aircraft systems, one of which is intended to deliver 3000 pounds of cargo similar to the unmanned Kaman K-MAX, but over a future range of 1300 nautical miles compared to the demonstrated 150 nautical miles (280 km) or more of the K-MAX.[42][43] AAI expected this cargo aircraft to fly in 2011.[44] The agreement commits CarterCopters to developing the technology to maturity for 4 complete aircraft in 2011,[44] in exchange for exclusive rights to develop UAVs for the next 40 years.

External media
Images
AAI/Textron's Transformer proposal
Company fabrication area
Video
PAV first flight
Official video of flight tests
PAV jump take-off, with wings
Flying at higher altitude
Video from Smithsonian Channel
Aircraft fabrication video

AAI intends to use this technology in two modified Shadow UAVs[44][45] for flight in 2012,[46] and as the basis for their proposal to DARPAs "Flying Humvee" Transformer program,[47][48][49] and DARPA selected this team for Phase 1 on November 15, 2010 lasting 15 months.[50] AAI also expected to use the SR/C technology for the Shadow Knight, a powered-rotor two-propeller surveillance aircraft for the US Navy[51][52][53] MRMUAS program that was cancelled in 2012 to save $1.5billion.[54][55] If AAI proposes an unmanned casualty evacuation aircraft, it would also be based on Carter technology.[56]

Agreement with Municipality

On October 6, 2009[57] (final agreement April 14, 2010)[58] Carter signed a 7-year[59] agreement with the Wichita Falls Economic Development Corporation (WFEDC). The agreement provides Carter with a US$4M loan (sourced from 4A sales tax) for use as operating capital to allow increased development activity and company expansion, matching some of the AAI funding.[60] The loan was provided at a zero-percent interest rate with a delayed re-payment period and also includes a forgiveness clause in exchange for new job creation[57][61][62] of 300 manufacturing jobs. The total investment by AAI and WFEDC is $12million.[63] According to the agreement, Wichita Falls will provide a 25,000-square-foot (2,300 m2) building for CAT around the time of first flight. The $4m will be paid in 8 segments depending on milestones achieved (not nescessarily in order): PAV flight without wings, first firm order, PAV flight with wings, second firm order, flight tests of second PAV, hiring of a number of new employees (the agreement defines a successful flight as 30 minutes or more).[57] Carter has received the first downpayment of a prototype, qualifying CAT for a loan payment from the city,[64] and as of August 31, 2010, the amount paid by the WFEDC to CAT was $468,750.[65] According to Jay Carter, these milestones are related to requirements from AAI. Carter also conformed that CAT has "been in business for 16 years and never sold a product".[66][67]

First flight of the PAV occurred on January 5, 2011 and lasted 36 minutes, qualifying CAT for another milestone payment.[68][69] As of August 18, 2011, the amount paid by the WFEDC to CAT was $937,500.[70]

In June 2011, the company moved from its initial 3,600 sq ft (330 m2) buildings to a 20,000 sq ft (1,900 m2) facility with financial assistance from the City of Wichita Falls.[59][71]

AAI has provided $7.5m for license and prototype, while WFEDC has made 6 of 8 progress payments by June 2012.[72] The original milestones proved difficult, and AAI switched to progress payments instead.[73][60]

During 2012 Carter reduced the workforce from about 26[73][2][59] by 10-20 people due to lack of funds,[74][75] and the number of employees came to 13.[1] WFEDC agreed to a Carter proposal of changing the finance agreement to match the AAI progress method, in order to continue operations. WFEDC would provide two loan payments (almost $1million) in exchange for Carter stock and intellectual property, and Carter offers assets they estimate at $2.4-2.7 million as collateral for the loan.[31][60][76] However in August 2012, Carter offered all of the $2.7 million of hard assets, and refused transfer of intellectual property to the City as that would limit the company's ability to raise money. The WFEDC approved the agreement[72] after lengthy discussion,[74] but if loan repayments are not commenced 4 years after signage,[57] WFEDC could consider the agreement to be in default.[72]

As of June 2013, 7 out of 8 milestones have been met - Carter viewed the last milestone of 50 employees as unlikely to be fulfilled,[77] but later maintained the hope of achieving that goal.[1]

Technology

The primary technology of the company is the "Slowed Rotor/Compound" (SR/C) CarterCopter concept. A compound rotorcraft uses both wings and a rotor for lift. The wings support the aircraft when airspeed is high enough. "Slowed rotor" indicates that the rotor is then slowed down in high speed flight to reduce drag. Heavy tip weights made of lead, tungsten or steel are used to make jump takeoffs and keep the slowed rotor stable.[78][79]

The CarterCopter Technology Demonstrator was the first aircraft to achieve μ-1 (Mu-1) on June 17, 2005.[80] μ-1 is "an aerodynamic limit defined by a forward speed and rotor rpm combination that results in advancing (moving into the relative wind) blade tips reaching speeds of twice that of the aircraft. At the same time, the retreating blade tips experience zero airspeed (as they rotate away from the relative wind) on the opposite side -- the entire inboard portion of the blade sees 'reverse' air flow."[81]

Aircraft

External images
CarterGyro Demonstrator/Trainer (CGD/T)
PAV "hop"

The company has not made products for sale. Two aircraft have been made or modified :

  • CarterCopter - experimental autogyro from 1998 to 2005, registation N121CC[82] (no longer in flying condition).
  • CarterGyro Demonstrator/Trainer (CGD/T), registation N899CC[83] - a modified Butterfly Monarch autogyro built by CarterCopter pilot Larry Neal[84] and used by the company to test technology developments, such as a 7.92 m (26 ft 0 in) Carter rotor.[16]

Three aircraft are in development :

  • Carter Personal Air Vehicle - is a 4-seat autogyro under development to be sold in kit form.[85] It flew in 2011, and shares key features with the original CarterCopter.[68][69] Registration N110AV.[86] A 4-seat rotorcraft was registered N210AV in 2013.[87][88]
  • The first product in the AAI agreement[41] is an autonomous slowed rotor/compound (SR/C) aircraft to be based on the Carter Personal Air Vehicle.

Notes and references

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 "Carter Aviation Considered for Multi-Billion Dollar DOD Contact" Texomas, January 24, 2014. Accessed: January 26, 2014.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Carter Aerospace Development Better Business Bureau, January 10, 2012. Accessed: January 26, 2014.
  3. ↑ VTOLs map out bespoke manufacturing routes to the mass market
  4. ↑ Patents Granted Carter Aviation Technologies Retrieved: 5 June 2010.
  5. ↑ Carter Aviation Technologies (undated). "Do you plan on going into production?". Retrieved 20 December 2009. 
  6. ↑ Carter Aviation Technologies (undated). "CarterCopter Management". Retrieved December 20, 2009. 
  7. ↑ "American Turbine makes 1975 - 1985" Winds of Change. Retrieved: May 1, 2010.
  8. ↑ Birzer, Brian. "Three Generations of Texas Wind Men" (video) Texas Monthly, August 2011. Accessed: September 24, 2011.
  9. ↑ Carter Aviation Technologies (undated). "CarterCopter Propeller System". Retrieved 2009-12-20. 
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 Grady, Mary (April 2006). "CarterCopter Back In The Air". AVweb. Retrieved December 20, 2009. 
  11. ↑ Carter Aviation Technologies, LLC - U.S.A
  12. ↑ Carter Aviation Technologies (undated). "Landing Gear System". Retrieved December 20, 2009. 
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 Plack, Paul. "ANN Special Feature -- A Long Flight For The Carter PAV" in netradio interview at 2m45s Aero-News, August 21, 2008. Accessed: January 13, 2011.
  14. ↑ "SBIR/STTR Carter Aviation Technologies" 1 2 3. Source: Small Business Innovation Research. Accessed: December 20, 2013.
  15. ↑ "CAT SBIR Award Summary"
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 16.2 "Carter 4-Place PAV" Jane's all the world's aircraft, 20 July 2010. Retrieved: 9 September 2010.
  17. ↑ Grady, Mary (June 2005). "CarterCopter Claims To Break Mythical Barrier...". AVweb. Retrieved December 20, 2009. 
  18. ↑ Grady, Mary (July 2005). "CarterCopter Update -- Working Toward Replication". AVweb. Retrieved 2009-12-20. 
  19. ↑ Archive 2006 Carter Aviation, January 2, 2006. Retrieved: August 7, 2010. "For the past several months, Carter has been designing a new aircraft"
  20. ↑ "CarterCopter prototype in the works" Texomas, December 20, 2006. Accessed: January 26, 2014.
  21. ↑ "Carter vehicle breaks records" Times Record News, January 28, 2014. Accessed: January 28, 2014.
  22. ↑ "Carter announces change to R&D philosophy" Vertical (magazine), April 17, 2007. Accessed: February 3, 2011.
  23. ↑ The Center for Responsive Politics (August 2011). "Carter Aviation Technologies". Retrieved August 27, 2011. 
  24. ↑ Sunlight Foundation (January 2009). "Capitol Partners Inc for Carter Aviation Technologies". Retrieved August 27, 2011. 
  25. ↑ "Mr. Ken Wernicke Advisory Board Member" ZoomInfo, April 3, 2012. Retrieved: July 14, 2012.
  26. ↑ Miller, Jay. "Origin of the Species" Air & Space/Smithsonian, July 2004. Accessed: March 17, 2012.
  27. ↑ Maisel, Martin D., Demo J. Giulianetti and Daniel C. Dugan. NASA SP-2000-4517, "The History of the XV-15 Tilt Rotor Research Aircraft: From Concept to Flight" (PDF) NASA, 2000. Accessed: March 17, 2012.
  28. ↑ Wise, Jeff. "Jay Carter, Jr." Popular Science, 2005. Retrieved: July 14, 2012.
  29. ↑ Whittle, Richard. "The Dream Machine: The Untold History of the Notorious V-22 Osprey" pp30+389. New York: Simon & Schuster, 2010. ISBN 1-4165-6295-8. Retrieved: August 11, 2012.
  30. ↑ Carter Aviation Technologies (October 6, 2009). "Carter Lays Foundation for Expansion". Retrieved December 20, 2009. 
  31. ↑ 31.0 31.1 Shores, Gary et al. "Minutes of the Wichita Falls Economic Development Corporation" mirror1 mirror2 p1-3, June 18, 2012. Wichita Falls Economic Development Corporation. Accessed: July 20, 2012.
  32. ↑ "HR0011-13-C-0097" September 6, 2013. Accessed: September 8th, 2013.
  33. ↑ "DARPA’s New TERN Program Aims for Eyes in the Sky from the Sea". DARPA. 1 March 2013. Retrieved 11 April 2013. 
  34. ↑ 34.0 34.1 John Keller. "DARPA program to launch long-range UAVs from small ships expands to five contractors" Military Aerospace Electronics, October 6, 2013. Accessed: October 6, 2013.
  35. ↑ "Carter Aviation Lands Multi-Million Dollar Development Contract" Texomas, October 16, 2013. Accessed: October 19, 2013.
  36. ↑ "Tactically Exploited Reconnaissance Node (TERN) Program Solicitation Number: DARPA-BAA-13-28". 26 March 2013. Retrieved 11 April 2013. 
  37. ↑ "AeroVironment joins DARPA program to develop long-range UAVs for launch from small ships" September 4, 2013. Accessed: September 8th, 2013.
  38. ↑ "HR0011-13-C-0096" September 6th, 2013. Accessed: September 8th, 2013.
  39. ↑ "Textron Subsidiary To Develop Carter Rotor Technology" AVweb, November 18, 2009. Retrieved: 1 May 2010.
  40. ↑ Page, Lewis "VTOL gyro-copter flying car mates with killer robot" The Register, November 20, 2009. Retrieved: May 1, 2010.
  41. ↑ 41.0 41.1 AAI Corporation (November 2009). "AAI and Carter Aviation Technologies Enter Exclusive Licensing Agreement for Slowed Rotor/Compound Technology". Retrieved December 20, 2009. 
  42. ↑ "Team K-MAX demonstrates successful unmanned Helicopter Cargo resupply to U.S. Marine Corps", Lockheed Martin press release, February 8, 2010. Retrieved March 14, 2010.
  43. ↑ "Wichita Falls aviation company lands lucrative deal" Seven News, undated. Accessed: January 28, 2014.
  44. ↑ 44.0 44.1 44.2 Warwick, Graham. "Carter flies VTOL hybrid" Aviation Week, January 26, 2011. Accessed: 27 January 2011.
  45. ↑ Warwick, Graham. "AAI adds unpowered rotor to Shadow UAV for VTOL" Aviation Week, November 12, 2010. Accessed: January 27, 2011.
  46. ↑ Warwick, Graham. "AAI Flies Precursor To Advanced Shadow UAVs" Aviation Week, August 1, 2011. Accessed: September 2, 2011.
  47. ↑ Skinner, Tony. "Textron pursues 'flying Humvee' programme" Shephard, July 22, 2010. Retrieved: November 26, 2010.
  48. ↑ Weinberger, Sharon. "The U.S. Military wants a battlefield-ready flying car" Popular Mechanics, July 15, 2010. Retrieved: November 26, 2010.
  49. ↑ "DARPA kicks off Transformer (TX) program" DARPA, October 12, 2010. Retrieved: November 26, 2010.
  50. ↑ "AAI-Led team selected for ground-breaking DARPA Transformer program" AAI Corporation, November 15, 2010. Accessed: December 16, 2010.
  51. ↑ Warwick, Graham. "AAI Unveils Shadow Knight UAV For MRMUAS" Aviation Week, January 24, 2012. Accessed: January 30, 2012.
  52. ↑ Warwick, Graham. "Introducing AAI's Shadow Knight" Aviation Week, January 24, 2012. Accessed: February 4, 2012.
  53. ↑ "The best of fixed-wing unmanned aircraft — only better" UVS / AAI / Carter, 2010. Retrieved: June 10, 2012.
  54. ↑ "PE 0305237N: Medium Range Maritime UAS" DTIC.mil, February 2012. Retrieved: August 11, 2012.
  55. ↑ Mortimer, Gary. "MRMUAS to be cancelled" SUAS news, February 13, 2012. Retrieved: August 11, 2012.
  56. ↑ Tuttle, Rich. "AUVSI: Transformers: Robots in disguise" Flight Global, August 25, 2010. Accessed: January 18, 2011.
  57. ↑ 57.0 57.1 57.2 57.3 Shores, Gary & Carter, Jay. Resolution 132-2009 mirror City of Wichita Falls, Texas, October 6, 2009. Accessed: January 4, 2011.
  58. ↑ "Carter Signs $4 Million Incentive Agreement"
  59. ↑ 59.0 59.1 59.2 Crosbie, Katie. "Carter Aviation Technologies Shows Off New Facility" Mirror Texomas, January 18, 2012. Accessed: January 30, 2012.
  60. ↑ 60.0 60.1 60.2 Foy, Melissa. "Entrepreneur Hopes 4A Board Gives Company More Money" Texomas, August 1, 2012. Retrieved: August 11, 2012.
  61. ↑ Wood, Janice. Carter signs $4 million incentive agreement General Aviation News, May 3, 2010. Retrieved: June 4, 2010.
  62. ↑ Wichita Falls page 697 Wichita Falls, Texas, October 6, 2009. Retrieved: June 4, 2010.
  63. ↑ Dockery, Jim. "Comprehensive annual financial report" short link page ii City of Wichita Falls, Texas, March 24, 2010. Accessed: January 4, 2011.
  64. ↑ "Carter Aviation Technology reaches first City benchmark" Mirror Texomas, April 13, 2010. Accessed: January 19, 2011.
  65. ↑ Shores, Gary et al. "Notice of meeting (amended)", September 13, 2010. Wichita Falls Economic Development Corporation. Accessed: January 4, 2011. mirror
  66. ↑ Plack, Paul. "ANN Special Feature: Part II - Carter Aviation Technologies - 05.05.10" in netradio interview at 5m40s Aero-News, May 5, 2010. Accessed: January 4, 2011.
  67. ↑ Crosbie, Katie. "Carter announces plans to stay in W.F.; major contract with AAI" Texomas, November 22, 2009. Accessed: January 19, 2011.
  68. ↑ 68.0 68.1 Wood, Janice. "Carter PAV hits first milestone" General Aviation News, January 17, 2011. Accessed: February 13, 2012.
  69. ↑ 69.0 69.1 "Carter PAV Completes 1st Funding Milestone Flight" Aero News, January 18, 2011. Accessed: February 13, 2012.
  70. ↑ City clerk. "Resolution 84-2011", September 20, 2011. Wichita Falls Economic Development Corporation. Accessed: December 1, 2012.
  71. ↑ Wood, Janice. "Carter moves to new facility" General Aviation News, June 7, 2011. Accessed: August 31, 2011.
  72. ↑ 72.0 72.1 72.2 Shores, Gary et al. "Minutes of the Wichita Falls Economic Development Corporation" p2, August 2, 2012. Wichita Falls Economic Development Corporation. Accessed: November 26, 2012.
  73. ↑ 73.0 73.1 Shores, Gary et al. "Minutes of the Wichita Falls Economic Development Corporation" mirror p2, April 18, 2012. Wichita Falls Economic Development Corporation. Accessed: July 20, 2012.
  74. ↑ 74.0 74.1 Shores, Gary et al. "Minutes of the Wichita Falls Economic Development Corporation" , June 29, 2012. Wichita Falls Economic Development Corporation. Accessed: November 29, 2012.
  75. ↑ Foy, Melissa. "Carter Aviation Technology Continues to Reach Aviation Milestones". Texomas, December 10, 2012. Accessed: December 23, 2012.
  76. ↑ Shores, Gary et al. "Minutes of the Wichita Falls Economic Development Corporation" p2, June 4, 2012. Wichita Falls Economic Development Corporation. Accessed: November 26, 2012.
  77. ↑ Shores, Gary et al. "Minutes of the Wichita Falls Economic Development Corporation" , June 21, 2013. Wichita Falls Economic Development Corporation. Accessed: September 2, 2012.
  78. ↑ "CARTER PERSONAL AIR VEHICLE COMPLETES FIRST FLIGHTS WITH NEW ROTOR" Carter Aviation, August 29, 2013. Accessed: September 2, 2013.
  79. ↑ Garvey, William. "Coast to coast on 125 gal" page 48, Popular Mechanics, June 1996. Accessed: 9 January 2014.
  80. ↑ Carter Aviation Technologies (June 2005). "CarterCopter Technology Demonstrator". Retrieved 20 December 2009. 
  81. ↑ Grady, Mary (June 2005). "...As Company Celebrates Achievement". AVweb. Retrieved 20 December 2009. 
  82. ↑ Federal Aviation Administration (March 2012). "FAA Registry - Name Inquiry Results". Retrieved 30 March 2012. 
  83. ↑ Federal Aviation Administration (March 2012). "FAA Registry - N899CC". Retrieved 30 March 2012. 
  84. ↑ O'Brien, Kevin. "Carter Copter's little brother" Aero-News, 30 July 2004. Accessed: 4 January 2011.
  85. ↑ Carter Aviation Technologies (undated). "2+2 Place Personal Air Vehicle & UAV". Retrieved 20 December 2009. 
  86. ↑ Federal Aviation Administration (March 2012). "FAA Registry - PAV". Retrieved 30 March 2012. 
  87. ↑ Federal Aviation Administration (May 2013). "FAA Registry - PAV2". Retrieved 2 September 2013. 
  88. ↑ "N210AV" Flight Aware. Accessed: 2 September 2013

External links

Coordinates: 33°52′47″N 98°34′57″W / 33.879648°N 98.582613°W / 33.879648; -98.582613

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