Frank Carson - Carson Helicopters
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Joined: Feb 2006
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From: The Alps
Frank Carson - Carson Helicopters
RIP 
It is with a heavy heart that we announce our Founder and President, Franklin Carson, passed away on October 25th. He was a father, husband and pioneer who will be greatly missed.
Born in 1931, Frank grew up the son of a Philadelphia Locksmith and, at an early age, discovered his passion for aviation by visiting the Franklin Institute in Philadelphia with his mother. After high school, he joined The National Guard and then the Army, where he learned how to fix and maintain helicopters. In 1958, he started his company in a small, unheated barn, modifying Bell 47 and Bolkow BO 105 aircraft with his own upgrades and selling them to the burgeoning industry. Eventually he was able to get into the operating industry, developing unique ways to use helicopters: From heli-construction, which included ski lifts, to unloading ships in Saudi Arabia during the 1970s, firefighting, logging and airborne gravity surveys, he was a constant visionary in his industry. He continued his quest to improve the performance of helicopters with STC modifications and upgrades and was awarded The Sikorsky Pioneer Award in 1998.
In the last part of his life, Frank turned his attention back to his original passion: dreaming up helicopter upgrades and working to make them a reality. His proudest achievement was designing the S-61/H3 Composite Main Rotor Blade which significantly increased the performance and safety of this aircraft, making it equal to newer and more expensive models. He was especially proud when the Carson Composite Main Rotor Blade was chosen to replace the main rotor blades on Marine One, the aircraft of the President of the United States.
Frank continued working five days a week, dreaming up new ideas and being with everyone at Carson Helicopters. He saw the people who worked with him as family, and always appreciated everything they did to make his dreams a reality.
Frank is survived by his wife, Terril, who has worked side-by-side with him for 45 years, and his three sons, Clayton, Jad and Jordan who have joined the company over the years, contributing their own expertise and who are passionate to continue Frank’s legacy.
All the best,
Born in 1931, Frank grew up the son of a Philadelphia Locksmith and, at an early age, discovered his passion for aviation by visiting the Franklin Institute in Philadelphia with his mother. After high school, he joined The National Guard and then the Army, where he learned how to fix and maintain helicopters. In 1958, he started his company in a small, unheated barn, modifying Bell 47 and Bolkow BO 105 aircraft with his own upgrades and selling them to the burgeoning industry. Eventually he was able to get into the operating industry, developing unique ways to use helicopters: From heli-construction, which included ski lifts, to unloading ships in Saudi Arabia during the 1970s, firefighting, logging and airborne gravity surveys, he was a constant visionary in his industry. He continued his quest to improve the performance of helicopters with STC modifications and upgrades and was awarded The Sikorsky Pioneer Award in 1998.
In the last part of his life, Frank turned his attention back to his original passion: dreaming up helicopter upgrades and working to make them a reality. His proudest achievement was designing the S-61/H3 Composite Main Rotor Blade which significantly increased the performance and safety of this aircraft, making it equal to newer and more expensive models. He was especially proud when the Carson Composite Main Rotor Blade was chosen to replace the main rotor blades on Marine One, the aircraft of the President of the United States.
Frank continued working five days a week, dreaming up new ideas and being with everyone at Carson Helicopters. He saw the people who worked with him as family, and always appreciated everything they did to make his dreams a reality.
Frank is survived by his wife, Terril, who has worked side-by-side with him for 45 years, and his three sons, Clayton, Jad and Jordan who have joined the company over the years, contributing their own expertise and who are passionate to continue Frank’s legacy.
All the best,
Last edited by Senior Pilot; 27th October 2024 at 21:58. Reason: Quote
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 1,471
Likes: 847
From: Here 'n' there!
How sad to hear. What an amazing career though! A case of a name few know but clearly very capable both as an Engineer and a businessman. Came across Carson blades for the Sea King Mk.4 upgrade. Think they went from a 6-blade to 5-blade TR at the same time. RIP, Sir..........
Joined: Nov 2010
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From: Australia
I had always assumed Sikorsky Sea Kings had 5 blade tail rotors while Westland had 6 blade tail rotors. Never understood why the difference. But following search on internet, seems Westland HAS.1 also had 5 blade TR while later variants had 6. Seems it was only in later years, with composite blades, that the TR reverted to 5 blades again. Does anyone here know the reasoning around these changes in number of TR blades?
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 1,471
Likes: 847
From: Here 'n' there!
..... I had always assumed Sikorsky Sea Kings had 5 blade tail rotors while Westland had 6 blade tail rotors. Never understood why the difference. But following search on internet, seems Westland HAS.1 also had 5 blade TR while later variants had 6. Seems it was only in later years, with composite blades, that the TR reverted to 5 blades again. Does anyone here know the reasoning around these changes in number of TR blades?
) as I dipped in and out of the SK world but, from memory....Mk1 to Mk2 circa 79/81 - uprated Gnomes with the Mk2 required more TR authority to cope with the higher torque (ie tendency for the helo to rotate!) with the higher powers so went from 5 to 6 blade TR. Both MRBs and TRBs were metal. Late 80's (or Mk 6 era?) a strake was added down the port shoulder of the tail boom to, IIR disrupt the main rotor downwash which tried to "lift" the tail to port. This meant less tail rotor thrust needed to keep straight but it still had the 6 metal blade TR. Again, late 80's(?) the metal MRBs were replaced across the fleets with WHL plastic blades but the 6 blade metal TR was retained.
Carson then came up with his S61 plastic blade late '90's(?) offering quite an improved performance. The UK was interested ...... but no money and Merlin was of course heading inbound so........! Also, independently, Westlands developed a new plastic 5 blade TR which was more efficient and was adopted by the Indian Navy. Of course, for the RN, no money so same old same old........
Roll on Afghanistan and the Mk4 struggled in the ...... wait for it ....... Hot 'n' High conditions!!! Had to get that in!!!!
So, early 2000's, the idea of Carson blades was resurrected and a demo was sorted between Carson/Westlands/Boscombe and the Carson blades proved to greatly improve things both in terms of load lift and top speed. The plan was, at the same time, also to release more power back to the MRH by using the new Westlands plastic 5-bladed TR as part of the same mod - hence a return to a 5 blade TR but now using WHL plastic blades. This was all introduced under an UOR (Urgent Operational Requirement) for just (some?) Mk4s.Anyway, that's how I recall it all happening tho precise dates are a bit vague in my memory now. The new plastic TR was not retrofitted fleet-wide - just the Carson-bladed Junglies got the new WHL plastic 5-blade TR ...... unless someone knows more!!
Hope that helps! Cheers, H 'n' H
