In this episode of Hangar X Studios, host John Ramstead sits down with aerospace professor and Air Force veteran Robert Lunnie, live from VertiCon. Together, they dive into the challenges and breakthroughs of designing vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft, focusing on subscale prototyping, flight testing, and real-time transition from vertical to horizontal flight.
Lunnie walks us through his collaborative work with XTI Aerospace, explains the development process behind experimental models like the TriFan, and shares how the University of North Dakota (UND) has become a powerhouse in drone R&D and autonomous flight systems. This episode is a deep technical dive into the future of flight and the dynamic ecosystem driving aerospace innovation.
Episode Highlights
- The complexity behind transitioning VTOL aircraft from vertical to horizontal flight
- 3D printing and rapid prototyping of XTI's TriFan models
- Building a six to eight-foot subscale drone for aerodynamic testing
- Development of an immersive ground control station
- UND's ecosystem for UAS testing, including Grand Sky and the Hive incubator
- How UND supports both large defense contractors and startup innovators
- Real-world data acquisition from drone prototypes to inform full-scale designs
Key Points with Timestamps
- [00:00:03] The core challenge: reliable vertical to horizontal VTOL transitions
- [00:00:47] Intro and sponsorship by XTI Aerospace
- [00:01:21] Robert Lunnie’s background: Air Force, UND professor, drone R&D
- [00:02:21] Turning CAD models into 3D printed subscale TriFan prototypes
- [00:03:43] Testing the transition flight on a 3-ft exposed-frame prototype
- [00:04:54] Articulating nacelles vs. quad rotor flight mechanisms
- [00:06:01] Designing a full ground control station for immersive UAS piloting
- [00:06:48]
