Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method and system for flying a ducted-fan aerial vehicle, such as an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). The method includes receiving a flight plan comprising a plurality of waypoints and a plurality of path segments connecting the plurality of waypoints in an order of execution. The method further includes determining actual flight instructions for the ducted fan unmanned aerial vehicle based on (i) the received flight plan, (ii) a predetermined set of operating parameters associated with the ducted fan unmanned aerial vehicle, and (iii) an iterative analysis of a plurality of ordered triples. The method further includes sending the actual flight instructions to at least one processor of the ducted fan unmanned aerial vehicle configured to implement one or more portions of the actual flight instructions.

Abstract: The speed of the wind during operation of a UAV is estimated. In one example the speed of the wind is estimated by modeling an acceleration of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) based on a measured ground speed of the UAV, determining an actual acceleration of the UAV with one or more sensors, and estimating the speed of the wind as an integral of a difference between the modeled acceleration and the actual acceleration.

Abstract: The speed of the wind during operation of a UAV is estimated. In one example the speed of the wind is estimated by modeling an acceleration of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) based on a measured ground speed of the UAV, determining an actual acceleration of the UAV with one or more sensors, and estimating the speed of the wind as an integral of a difference between the modeled acceleration and the actual acceleration.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method and system for flying a ducted-fan air-vehicle, such as an unmanned air-vehicle. The method includes receiving a first input associated with a target point of interest and pointing the gimbaled sensor at the target point of interest. The method further includes receiving a second input corresponding to a desired flight path and selecting a velocity vector flight command to achieve the desired flight path. Selecting the velocity vector flight command includes converting attitude data from the gimbaled sensor into a velocity vector flight command. The method further includes operating the flight of the UAV according to the selected velocity vector flight command and the gimbaled sensor remains fixed on the target point of interest during the flight of the UAV.