Frank Carson Founder of Carson Helicopters is remembered as an industry visionary. Franklin “Frank” Carson, founder and president of Carson Helicopters in Perkasie, Pennsylvania, died Oct. 25, 2024. Born in 1931, Carson grew up the son of a Philadelphia locksmith. At an early age, he discovered his passion for aviation after visiting The Franklin Institute in Philadelphia with his mother. After high school, he joined the National Guard and then the US Army, where he learned how to fix and maintain helicopters. In 1958, Carson started his company in a small, unheated barn, modifying Bell 47 and MBB Bo 105 aircraft with his own upgrades and selling them to buyers in the burgeoning industry. Eventually, he entered operations, developing unique ways to use helicopters. From heli-construction, which included ski lifts, to unloading ships in Saudi Arabia during the 1970s to firefighting to logging and airborne gravity surveys, Carson was a constant visionary. He continued his quest to improve the performance of helicopters with STC (supplemental type certificate) modifications and upgrades. In the last part of his life, Carson 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 Carson S-61 Composite Main Rotor Blade, which significantly increased the performance and safety of the S-61 aircraft. He was especially proud when the product was chosen to replace the main-rotor blades on Marine One, the aircraft used by the president of the United States. Carson continued working five days a week, coming up with new ideas and being with everyone at Carson Helicopters. He viewed his employees as family and always appreciated all they did to make his dreams a reality. Carson is survived by his wife, Terril, who worked with him for 45 years, and his sons, Clayton, Jad, and Jordan.
