New Gyrocopter

[Steve D <sd-pinworthy@worldnet.att.net>]

While surfing the net I came across this site.  It is for a new design
gyrocopter that is really shaking up the old established ways of thinking
about gyros.  So if you want to add a 5 passenger Gyro that can takeoff
like a helo head to this site.

<http://www.cartercopters.com/index.html>

Below is a copy of their expected performance on the completed test version.

>From CarterCopters:
CarterCopter Performance Goals
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Break the altitude record for any type of rotary wing or fixed wing
aircraft powered by either a piston or turboprop engine.

Present records:
Autogyros- 18,517ft (piston, 1982)
Helicopter - 40,820 ft (turbo, 1972)
Fixed wing - 56,046 ft (piston, 1938)

Potential: 70,000 ft (compound turbo charged piston)

Modifications to basic prototype required to reach potential:

   * 48 foot wing span, 118 square foot wing area.
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Break the absolute speed record for any type rotary wing aircraft and for a
fixed wing aircraft over both a 100 & 500 km course powered by either a
piston or turboprop.

Present records:
Autogyro - 3 km - 120mph (piston, 1986)
Helicopter - 15 km - 249 mph (turbo, 1986)
Fixed wing - 100 km - 470 mph (piston, 1947), 500 km - 454 mph (turbo,
1961)
Potential: 500 mph over a 3, 15, 100 and 500 km course

Modifications to basic prototype required to reach potential:

   * 4-bladed propeller
   * Change drive ratio to slow down propeller
   * Supercharger in series with compound turbochargers to attain 500 HP at
     45,000 feet.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Break the distance record for non stop non refueling for any type rotary
wing or fixed wing aircraft powered by a piston or turboprop engine.

Present records:
Auto gyro - 543 miles (piston, 1975)
Helicopter - 2,213 miles (turbo, 1966)
Fixed wing - 24,986 miles (piston, 1986)
Potential: 25,500 miles (circle the earth)

Modifications to basic prototype required to reach potential:

   * 48 foot wing span, 118 square foot wing area.
   * 48 foot rotor diameter.
   * Fuel bladder in baggage and passenger compartment - an additional 550
     gallons.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Break the climb to altitude record for any type rotary wing or fixed wing
aircraft. powered by a piston or turboprop engine.

Present records:
Auto gyro - 3000 m - 8 m, 8 sec (piston, 1990)
Helicopter -

     3000 m - 1 m, 22 sec (turbo, 1972)
     6000 m- 2 m, 59 sec (turbo, 1972)
     9000 m- 5 m, 58 sec (turbo, 1971)

Fixed wing -

     3000 m - 1 m, 31 sec (piston, 1972)
     6000 m- 3 m, 43 sec (turbo, 1985)
     9000 m- 6 m, 34 sec (turbo, 1985)

Potential:

     3000m - less than 1 minute
     6000m - less than 2 minutes
     9000 m - less than 3 minutes

Modifications to basic prototype required to reach potential:

   * 4-bladed propeller
   * Set manifold pressure to attain continuous 600 HP.
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Establish a new record ratio for gross wt to empty wt for any type rotary
or fixed wing aircraft.

Present record: Fixed Wing - 9720/2319 = 4.19 (piston, 1986)

Potential: Ratio - 8000/1600 = 5

Modifications to basic prototype required to reach potential:

   * 48 foot wing span, 118 square foot wing area.
   * 48 foot rotor diameter.
   * 4-bladed Propeller.
   * Set manifold pressure to attain 600 HP for takeoff.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Now just takeout the gas engine and put in a bigger version of the
Autogyros engine and the Project has an intercontinental gyro.  The site
has lots of graphics on the gyro, including 3 view drawings of it.  The
company is small and looking for investor so MI could become a partner and
there it goes into the Project.

Comments?  Steve D