toofastdave
Nov 19, 2005, 02:28 AM
Hello all,
I am looking to get involved in building UAV mainly because I work around them and have some pretty good contacts in the UAV community. I also work for BAE SYSTEMS during the day and own Littlebirdz http://www.littlebirdz.com and run that business in my spare time. I am located in Suffolk Virginia. It's mainly laser cutting and model aircraft design but I own a CNC Milling machine and CNC lathe as well. I can make pretty much anything on my laser that it has the capability to cut and when I have the time I work with the CNC machines, although I don't offer the CNC machine services to anyone. I am moving in the direction to begin building molds and do some vacuum bagging on composites in the near future. I have had a few calls for composite airframes from UAV developers but I haven't been able to get on that train yet... only seems like the next logical step.
I have read most of the threads under this discussion group and have done many, many hours of online research on autopilots and what gear to use. My main problem is not being able to do everything myself or having limited knowledge on some things that are critical and being an expert in other areas... which doesn't get the job done since you need to be a master in all areas or have someone who knows each part of what is required working with you.
My background is Electronics (6 years US Navy) and almost 10 years at BAE. I am a project manager now, but the lack of tinkering has me looking for new work. I can't stand 100% paperwork. I have to use my hands and brain for something interesting at least 50% of the time. ;)
Right now I design, produce and fly my own aircraft and also cut and kit designs from commercial sources and hobbyists. I dabble with Microchip PIC processors and design and build my own circuit boards when I get the urge to do that sort of thing.
If anyone has a design in mind and is hampered by the cost of design and fabrication I'm willing to donate some materials, CAD design time, advice and machine time in exchange for some sort of part in the project... Details could be sorted out later but this offer is for SERIOUS inquiries only. I am not offering free material and services to everyone working on autonomous vehicles. I am looking for someone with a serious project that he / she intends to either display to the gov't or compete in a public event. I will also consider ground based vehicles and MAV's if I am able to help in that area.
A while back I was contacted by NC State University Aerial Robotics club a for sponsorship. Since I was just starting out in my business I didnt have any extra cash, but I said I would donate machine time, CAD time and materials. No one ever followed up and took advantage of the offer.
*EDIT* You know who you are and the offer is still open.
Anyone here interested?
Also, if anyone in this area has an open job working on UAV's I'm game for that as well. :) All of the people who want to hire me live in California or Florida. Too expensive and too many hurricanes. :p One guy wanted me to move to New Mexico to work with the Border Patrol... that still may be an option!! :D
Anyway, if you are interested please email me at littlebirdz@charter.net
Any information shared with me will be kept with the same absolute secrecy as I practice with all of my customers.
*EDIT* This offer is good for the Continental US Only. I am not interested in doing any work outside of the US. No offense, but I don't have time to deal with the export do's and don'ts and I don't need black vans parked outside of my house trying to find out what I'm building for some guy in Pakistan. :rolleyes:
Cheers and thanks for reading,
Dave
I am looking to get involved in building UAV mainly because I work around them and have some pretty good contacts in the UAV community. I also work for BAE SYSTEMS during the day and own Littlebirdz http://www.littlebirdz.com and run that business in my spare time. I am located in Suffolk Virginia. It's mainly laser cutting and model aircraft design but I own a CNC Milling machine and CNC lathe as well. I can make pretty much anything on my laser that it has the capability to cut and when I have the time I work with the CNC machines, although I don't offer the CNC machine services to anyone. I am moving in the direction to begin building molds and do some vacuum bagging on composites in the near future. I have had a few calls for composite airframes from UAV developers but I haven't been able to get on that train yet... only seems like the next logical step.
I have read most of the threads under this discussion group and have done many, many hours of online research on autopilots and what gear to use. My main problem is not being able to do everything myself or having limited knowledge on some things that are critical and being an expert in other areas... which doesn't get the job done since you need to be a master in all areas or have someone who knows each part of what is required working with you.
My background is Electronics (6 years US Navy) and almost 10 years at BAE. I am a project manager now, but the lack of tinkering has me looking for new work. I can't stand 100% paperwork. I have to use my hands and brain for something interesting at least 50% of the time. ;)
Right now I design, produce and fly my own aircraft and also cut and kit designs from commercial sources and hobbyists. I dabble with Microchip PIC processors and design and build my own circuit boards when I get the urge to do that sort of thing.
If anyone has a design in mind and is hampered by the cost of design and fabrication I'm willing to donate some materials, CAD design time, advice and machine time in exchange for some sort of part in the project... Details could be sorted out later but this offer is for SERIOUS inquiries only. I am not offering free material and services to everyone working on autonomous vehicles. I am looking for someone with a serious project that he / she intends to either display to the gov't or compete in a public event. I will also consider ground based vehicles and MAV's if I am able to help in that area.
A while back I was contacted by NC State University Aerial Robotics club a for sponsorship. Since I was just starting out in my business I didnt have any extra cash, but I said I would donate machine time, CAD time and materials. No one ever followed up and took advantage of the offer.
*EDIT* You know who you are and the offer is still open.
Anyone here interested?
Also, if anyone in this area has an open job working on UAV's I'm game for that as well. :) All of the people who want to hire me live in California or Florida. Too expensive and too many hurricanes. :p One guy wanted me to move to New Mexico to work with the Border Patrol... that still may be an option!! :D
Anyway, if you are interested please email me at littlebirdz@charter.net
Any information shared with me will be kept with the same absolute secrecy as I practice with all of my customers.
*EDIT* This offer is good for the Continental US Only. I am not interested in doing any work outside of the US. No offense, but I don't have time to deal with the export do's and don'ts and I don't need black vans parked outside of my house trying to find out what I'm building for some guy in Pakistan. :rolleyes:
Cheers and thanks for reading,
Dave