Cool, 360-degree video showcases NASA's Greased Lightning drone

Published February 05, 2016

Engineers David North (L) and Bill Fredericks (R) carry the Greased Lightning before one of its flight tests. (NASA Langley/David C. Bowman)

Want to know what it’s like to pilot NASA’s remote-controlled plane dubbed Greased Lightning or GL-10?

Then, you have to check out this 360-degree video. It offers a birds-eye view from the pilot’s seat that shows the drone taking off, soaring over the countryside and then landing again.

The GL-10 prototype takes off in hover mode like a helicopter. (NASA Langley/David C. Bowman)

Developed at NASA's Langley Research Center, Greased Lightning is currently in the design and testing phase. The battery powered drone has a 10-foot wingspan, eight electric motors on the wings, two electric motors on the tail and weighs a maximum of 62 pounds at takeoff.

Greased Lightning has successfully transitioned from hovering like a helicopter to plane-style wing-borne flight during tests.

Much quieter than a traditional aircraft, NASA engineers say that Greased Lightning makes even less noise than a neighbor mowing their lawn with a gas-powered motor.

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https://www.foxnews.com/tech/cool-360-degree-video-showcases-nasas-greased-lightning-drone