Frank Carson, founder of Carson Helicopters, flies west 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.
