Abstract:
Carter Aviation Technologies, LLC has spent over 20 years developing aircraft concepts utilizing its Slowed Rotor/Compound (SR/C™) technology, a technology that offers VTOL capability with fixed-wing cruise performance in a much simpler and less expensive method than other high speed VTOL approaches, with a rotor always in autorotation in case of emergency. Key to this technology is a rotor and related control system that can be dramatically slowed in flight while remaining stable. Multiple manned demonstrators have demonstrated the feasibility of the technology, as well as provided solid experimental flight test data on performance potential. Carter is now utilizing this technology for a new aircraft concept, the CarterCopter BizJet, to provide runway independent operation with business jet cruise performance, carrying up to nine people at top speeds exceeding 500 mph (435+ ktas or 805+ km/hr). This paper will focus on this new platform, its features, and capabilities.