NASA's Personal Air Vehicle (PAV) initiative was proposed to spur the creation of a reduced-noise, affordable transportation option that would appeal to a broad customer base. Among the many customer requirements, it had to be cost effective, affordable, environmentally friendly, safe, comfortable and highly mobile. Munro & Associates and AeroComposites shared NASA funding to design a PAV tail section, including power plant, drive shaft, duct and cruciform tail empenage. Eventually, a full-size PAV Demonstrator was constructed and tested, with AeroComposites assuming the responsibility for the aero-acoustic and mechanical design and fabrication of a ground adjustable fan assembly, with all-composite fan blades and spinner. AeroComposites also took responsibility for the aero-acoustic design of the PAV duct geometry. The end result was the delivery of a 7-bladed 300-HP fan assembly.
