Editor’s Note: Over the next year, we will be hosting a series of GoFly Master Lectures where industry experts share advice, insights, and answer questions from GoFly Teams.
For the latest in our series of “Master Lectures,” we welcomed Irene Gregory, NASA Senior Technologist (ST) for Advanced Control Theory and Applications. Her current interests are in the areas of robust autonomous systems, self-aware vehicle intelligent contingency management, acoustically-aware vehicles, and resilient control for advanced, unconventional configurations with particular focus on Urban Air Mobility. Previously, Dr. Gregory’s research spanned all flight regimes from low subsonic to hypersonic speeds, and included advanced control for aircraft and launch vehicles, aeroelasticity, fluidic control effectors, and autonomous vehicles. Her research has been documented in over 100 technical publications in peer-reviewed journals and conferences, invited lectures and presentations.
Dr. Gregory earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Aeronautics and Astronautics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and a Doctorate in Control and Dynamic Systems from California Institute of Technology. She is an Associate Fellow of the AIAA, a member of IEEE and IFAC, serves on IEEE Control Systems Society Aerospace Control Technical Committee and on IFAC Aerospace Control Technical Committee. She is an emeritus member of the AIAA Guidance, Navigation and Control Technical Committee and a former member of the AIAA Intelligent Systems Technical Committee.
In her presentation, she explained the difference between control and feedback control. “Control is the use of algorithms and feedback in engineered systems to alter system behavior, while feedback control is the basic mechanism by which systems maintain their equilibrium,” she said.
To view the entire lecture, join the GoFly Prize challenge by contacting info@goflyprize.com.
Editor’s Note: Over the next year, we will be hosting a series of GoFly Master Lectures where industry experts share advice, insights, and answer questions from GoFly Teams.
For the latest in our series of “Master Lectures,” we welcomed Johnny Doo, president of International Vehicle Research Inc, for his presentation titled “eVTOL for Public Services – Design & Applications.”
Doo focuses on innovative manned and unmanned flight vehicle technology and product development while supporting global rescue and disaster relief initiatives. He also leads the NASA coordinated Transformative Vertical Flight – Public Services working group, teaming with 50 industry and institution experts as well as executive members to develop the roadmap for search and rescue, disaster relief, police and firefighting, medical transport and military eVTOL applications. He has over 30 years of experience in managing and developing aviation products from high performance piston aircraft, personal and business jets to unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV).
He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering and a Master’s degree in Aerospace Engineering. He is also the co-author of the book WIG Craft and Ekranoplan – Ground Effect Craft Technology.
His biggest advice for GoFly competitors? “Right now, everyone has a different idea for what will work best. There are many different ways to address the challenges and opportunities of VTOL design,” he said.
To view the entire lecture, join the GoFly Prize challenge by contacting info@goflyprize.com.
Editor’s Note: Over the next year, we will be hosting a series of GoFly Master Lectures where industry experts share advice, insights, and answer questions from GoFly Teams.
For the latest in our series of “Master Lectures,” we welcomed Geoff Hunt, senior vice president of engineering for Pratt & Whitney. Prior to taking on this role in September 2018, Hunt has held numerous executive roles for over 20 years at United Technologies Corp and served as an engineer at Rolls-Royce for 13 years.
In his Master Lecture titled, “More Power to You: Technology Trends For the Future of Aero Propulsion,” he shared his vision for the rest of the GoFly Prize competition, and further aviation innovation as well. “We’re looking for an idea that’s truly original, innovative, and groundbreaking that might be the next rung on the ladder of aviation disruption,” he said.
To view the entire lecture, join the GoFly Prize challenge by contacting info@goflyprize.com.
Editor’s Note: Over the next year, we will be hosting a series of GoFly Master Lectures where industry experts share advice, insights, and answer questions from GoFly Teams.
For the latest in our series of “Master Lectures,” we welcomed Rafi Yoeli, founder and CEO of Urban Aeronautics. Yoeli is widely recognized as a leading authority in the field of VTOL aircraft development. He was previously the founder and managing director of AD&D, Ltd. (Aero Design & Development), a group leader at Israel Aircraft Industries, and a senior engineer at Boeing. He also serves as a reserve officer in the Israeli Air Force.
In his Master Lecture titled “VTOL Aircraft Design: Keeping Your Eyes on the Stars and Your Feet on the Ground,” he emphasized the importance of sketching as a design tool. “Your colleagues will appreciate a nicely drawn sketch. I suggest improving your sketching ability because it increases communication and creativity within your team,” he said.
To view the entire lecture, join the GoFly Prize challenge by contacting info@goflyprize.com.
Editor’s Note: Over the next year, we will be hosting a series of GoFly Master Lectures where industry experts share advice, insights, and answer questions from GoFly Teams.
For the latest in our series of “Master Lectures,” we welcomed Ashish Bagai, principal at buGiAero. Bagai has expertise in rotary-wing, vertical flight, and subsonic aircraft advanced program concepts, including design, technology development, program inception, planning and management.
His biggest advice for GoFly Prize participants? “Given that this is a particularly crucial phase of the competition that moves on a tight schedule, executing rapidly, but with forethought and awareness, will help your progress,” he said.
To view the entire lecture, join the GoFly Prize challenge by contacting info@goflyprize.com.
Editor’s Note: Over the next two years, we’ll be hosting a series of GoFly Master Lectures where industry experts share advice, insights, and answer questions from anyone interested in participating in the GoFly Prize.
For the latest in our series of “Master Lectures,” we welcome Raja Maharajh, Pratt & Whitney’s vice president and general counsel, responsible for leading Pratt & Whitney’s Legal Services team with overall responsibility for the company’s legal matters, as well as contracts, corporate ethics, government compliance and government security.Maharajh brings more than 20 years of legal and engineering experience to this role. He has held a number of positions of increasing responsibility since joining the UTC Legal department in 2004. Prior to being named to his current position in November 2016, Maharajh was the vice president and counsel for Pratt & Whitney’s large commercial engines business.
In this video, he offers legal guidance for protecting your IP and other sensitive technologies.
Editor’s Note: Over the next two years, we’ll be hosting a series of GoFly Master Lectures where industry experts share advice, insights, and answer questions from anyone interested in participating in the GoFly Prize.
For the latest in our series of “Master Lectures,” we welcome Colonel John W. Jones. Colonel Jones serves as the commander of the U.S. Army Redstone Test Center, where he directs a 1,300 person workforce of military personnel, army civilians and contractors conducting developmental testing on a portfolio of rockets and missiles. Jones has 28 years of service as an army aviator. He has actively conducted experimental flight test for 8 years.
In this lecture, Colonel Jones offers recommendations for risk reduction during aircraft testing.
Editor’s Note: Over the next two years, we’ll be hosting a series of GoFly Master Lectures where industry experts share advice, insights, and answer questions from anyone interested in participating in the GoFly Prize.
For the latest in our series of “Master Lectures,” we welcome Joe Nickerson, Flying Qualities Manager and Associate Technical Fellow at Boeing Vertical Lift in Philadelphia. Nickerson has experience in handing qualities, wind tunnel testing, and aeronautical engineering. Nickerson attended the University of Notre Dame and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. He has worked on a number of rotorcraft including the V-22 Osprey tiltrotor, and the Comanche and Chinook helicopters.
In this lecture, he discusses designing devices with stability and control in mind.
Editor’s Note: Over the next two years, we’ll be hosting a series of GoFly Master Lectures where industry experts share advice, insights, and answer questions from anyone interested in participating in the GoFly Prize.
For the latest in our series of “Master Lectures,” we welcome Christina Polaski, the Global Social Media Manager at Pratt & Whitney where she leads the company’s global social media and audience engagement strategy across LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and YouTube in support of key business objectives, including product positioning, recruiting and growing brand awareness and affinity.
In the past, she has worked with companies to develop paid, owned and earned strategies to drive revenue growth and support their brands, products and services. Her key areas of expertise include B2B social media, content marketing and public relations.
In this lecture, she offers teams advice for creating and managing their social media presence.
Editor’s Note: Over the next two years, we’ll be hosting a series of GoFly Master Lectures where industry experts share advice, insights, and answer questions from anyone interested in participating in the GoFly Prize.
For the latest in our series of “Master Lectures,” we welcome Mourad Yesayan, a Principal at Paladin Capital Group. Yesayan is an investment lead for the firm’s Cyber Fund, which focuses on investing in early-stage companies in the US and Europe with solutions for cybersecurity and digital resilience.
Yesayan is currently actively involved in several of Paladin’s investments including Expel, RiskSense, Ursa, RiskLens, and previously worked with Unitrends (acquired by Insight Venture Partners).
In this lecture, he offers advice on mastering the VC pitch.
