WICHITA FALLS, Texas — Carter Aviation Technologies has hired two new demo pilots, Chris Lord and Dan Holcomb.
Although flight testing on the CarterCopter has ramped down, flight demonstrations have not, according to company officials.
“With the passing of our long-time pilot Larry Neal last fall, we have been working to identify and train a new crew,” said Jay Carter. “This time we wanted to put two pilots in the aircraft rather than a pilot and a flight engineer, which would give us more flexibility to demonstrate — if one pilot is unavailable we have a backup”.
Lord is the owner of Pictaio Aerospace, and an FAA Designated Pilot Examiner, as well as an instructor for gyroplanes and airplanes. Holcomb trained in helicopters with the US Army flying the UH-1 and CH-47 before transitioning to the Air Force and flying the KC-135 among other aircraft. He now flies commercially for various clients.
The two are preparing to support demonstrations on Carter’s behalf, including cross-country flights as well as airshows. The company is also preparing to host interested parties and companies who desire to license the technology and put it into production.
“Videos, pictures, flight test data presentations and the like are all good, but people considering making the investment required to put our technology into a product want to experience it first hand,” Carter said. “Chris and Dan are a key element of our preparations for a robust demonstration program going forward.”