Operation
The PAV has flight characteristics similar to other Carter aircraft. When stationary on the ground, the engine powers up the flat pitch rotor to 370 RPM, and the engine is then disengaged from the rotor.
..alternative.. The engine accelerates the rotor in no-lift pitch until the rotor speed required for flight is achieved. The engine is then declutched from the rotor and it has maximum power for the propeller.
The rotor now has substantial rotational energy due to the tip weights, and the rotor blades are pitched to push air down and lift the aircraft in a jump takeoff. While altitude is reached, the aircraft transitions into forward flight using the pusher propeller, and the rotor shifts to autorotation (windmilling) with air flowing up through the rotor. As speed increases, the air flow increases rotor RPM like other autogyros. Once sufficient airspeed is reached (around 70 mph) for the small wings to provide lift, rotor blades are feathered to reduce rotor speed to 100 RPM and minimize drag, and lift is provided mostly by the wings. Rotor lift is reduced to 10%, and flight efficiency is somewhat below that of a commercial jet.
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