Uploaded March 2012 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
The Cygnus is made from Dollar Tree foamboard (Readi-Board) and is designed to carry up to 1kg (2.2lbs) of payload such as surveying cameras in a clear and unobstructed location under the canard wing. It uses twin pusher motors about 330w each with counterrotating 10x6 props. Each fuselage will hold up to 6 2200mAh 3s packs, for a total of 26,000 mAh of capacity. Anticipated flight duration 30-60 minutes. The twin fuselages accommodate the central payload and also allow mounting of dual FPV cameras in the noses - one for pilot and one for surveyor/payload operator.
The initial mission for the Cygnus is as a Geographic Information Science camera and instrumentation platform. It will hopefully serve as an economical long-range, long-duration UAV for hobbyists.
"Cygnus" is Latin for swan, and is a continuation of the canard (French for duck) family of foamboard aircraft begun with the Peace Drone.
Flawless video by Doug M.
Many thanks to Burt Rutan for ideas and inspiration.
The Cygnus is made from Dollar Tree foamboard (Readi-Board) and is designed to carry up to 1kg (2.2lbs) of payload such as surveying cameras in a clear and unobstructed location under the canard wing. It uses twin pusher motors about 330w each with counterrotating 10x6 props. Each fuselage will hold up to 6 2200mAh 3s packs, for a total of 26,000 mAh of capacity. Anticipated flight duration 30-60 minutes. The twin fuselages accommodate the central payload and also allow mounting of dual FPV cameras in the noses - one for pilot and one for surveyor/payload operator.
The initial mission for the Cygnus is as a Geographic Information Science camera and instrumentation platform. It will hopefully serve as an economical long-range, long-duration UAV for hobbyists.
"Cygnus" is Latin for swan, and is a continuation of the canard (French for duck) family of foamboard aircraft begun with the Peace Drone.
Flawless video by Doug M.
Many thanks to Burt Rutan for ideas and inspiration.
