"Would those saying "it can't be done" please keep out of the way of those doing it."
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About the Designer and Builder:
Rob Coatney is a 2007 aerospace engineering graduate of the University of Illinois. Since then, he has worked with youth in Alaska, designed parts for high-end carbon fiber sailing yachts, and worked in the unmanned aircraft industry. He has more than 25 years' experience in radio-controlled aircraft design, construction, and flying.
Rob's day job is at Zepher Flight Labs in Bingen, WA; a UAS R&D company closely associated with Zepher Inc which is an AS9100 aero and defense manufacturing company.
Rob's Linkedin Profile
FAQ's:
Q: Is Gooney Bird a model aircraft or a UAV?
A: Technically both. It fits the category of UAV as defined by the FAI. However, it is also a model aircraft as defined by the Academy of Model Aeronautics. It is under 55 pounds, is entirely self-funded, has no provision for a commercial payload, will remain within line of sight, and although it is equipped with an autopilot, it will only be used to orbit around a point when inside US airspace. If it becomes necessary during a flight, it will revert back to manual radio control with the flip of a switch.
Q: What made you want to do this?
A: The current endurance record for all small (under 25kg) conventional aircraft is 54 hours (set by the Latvian Penguin B UAV in 2012). The current absolute endurance record for heavier-than-air VTOL aircraft of all sizes is 32 hours (set by the ~20kg Flexrotor in 2017).
Small UAV's are capable of even longer flights if given proper propulsion optimization. It is my goal to demonstrate this. While scaling laws constrain the maximum possible speed and range of smaller aircraft, they are not nearly as adversely affected in regards to endurance.
Q: Why did you name it 'Gooney Bird'?
A: Several reasons:
1) Gooney Bird is slang for the albatross which can soar for days over wide expanses of ocean. This drone will also have long endurance capabilities.
2) It is also slang for the WWII C-47 military transport which was known for its reliability, durability, and utility.
3) It is a homage to Abe Karem's pioneering Albatross UAV.
Rob Coatney is a 2007 aerospace engineering graduate of the University of Illinois. Since then, he has worked with youth in Alaska, designed parts for high-end carbon fiber sailing yachts, and worked in the unmanned aircraft industry. He has more than 25 years' experience in radio-controlled aircraft design, construction, and flying.
Rob's day job is at Zepher Flight Labs in Bingen, WA; a UAS R&D company closely associated with Zepher Inc which is an AS9100 aero and defense manufacturing company.
Rob's Linkedin Profile
FAQ's:
Q: Is Gooney Bird a model aircraft or a UAV?
A: Technically both. It fits the category of UAV as defined by the FAI. However, it is also a model aircraft as defined by the Academy of Model Aeronautics. It is under 55 pounds, is entirely self-funded, has no provision for a commercial payload, will remain within line of sight, and although it is equipped with an autopilot, it will only be used to orbit around a point when inside US airspace. If it becomes necessary during a flight, it will revert back to manual radio control with the flip of a switch.
Q: What made you want to do this?
A: The current endurance record for all small (under 25kg) conventional aircraft is 54 hours (set by the Latvian Penguin B UAV in 2012). The current absolute endurance record for heavier-than-air VTOL aircraft of all sizes is 32 hours (set by the ~20kg Flexrotor in 2017).
Small UAV's are capable of even longer flights if given proper propulsion optimization. It is my goal to demonstrate this. While scaling laws constrain the maximum possible speed and range of smaller aircraft, they are not nearly as adversely affected in regards to endurance.
Q: Why did you name it 'Gooney Bird'?
A: Several reasons:
1) Gooney Bird is slang for the albatross which can soar for days over wide expanses of ocean. This drone will also have long endurance capabilities.
2) It is also slang for the WWII C-47 military transport which was known for its reliability, durability, and utility.
3) It is a homage to Abe Karem's pioneering Albatross UAV.
