Abstract: A system is presented. The system comprises sunlight sensors and GPS receivers in a region, an aerial vehicle, a solar panel, and a flight plan generator. The aerial vehicle is within the region. The aerial vehicle has a rechargeable battery. The solar panel is physically connected to the aerial vehicle and operably connected to the rechargeable battery. The flight plan generator is configured to create a flight plan within the region for the aerial vehicle based on measurements from the sunlight sensors within the region.

Abstract: A system for taking into account micro wind conditions in a region. The system comprises a plurality of aerial vehicles within the region and a wind speed calculator. Each of the plurality of aerial vehicles has an altitude sensor and a GPS receiver. The wind speed calculator is configured to determine wind vectors within the region using measurements from the plurality of aerial vehicles.

Abstract: A system is presented. The system comprises sunlight sensors and GPS receivers in a region, an aerial vehicle, a solar panel, and a flight plan generator. The aerial vehicle is within the region. The aerial vehicle has a rechargeable battery. The solar panel is physically connected to the aerial vehicle and operably connected to the rechargeable battery. The flight plan generator is configured to create a flight plan within the region for the aerial vehicle based on measurements from the sunlight sensors within the region.

Abstract: A vehicle, includes a vehicle and a strain gauge. The vehicle includes a vehicle body component exposed to an exterior of the vehicle. The strain gauge is coupled with the vehicle body component.

Abstract: A vehicle, includes a vehicle and a strain gauge. The vehicle includes a vehicle body component exposed to an exterior of the vehicle. The strain gauge is coupled with the vehicle body component.

Abstract: An aircraft flight planning apparatus includes a database and an aircraft flight planning apparatus. The database includes a plurality of forecasting models configured to predict a predetermined characteristic on which at least a portion of a flight plan is based, and at least one data matrix of test predictions for the predetermined characteristic from each model, each data matrix includes a plurality of test data points. The aircraft flight planning controller is coupled to the database, and is configured to receive analysis forecast data having at least one analysis data point, select a model based on a comparison between the analysis data point and the test data points of a respective model, and provide a prediction of the predetermined characteristic with the model, from the plurality of forecasting models, that corresponds to a test data point that is representative of the analysis data point.

Abstract: A method includes accessing historical data including timestamped meteorological data and flight path data. The timestamped meteorological data indicates meteorological conditions detected in each of a plurality of geographic regions. The flight path data indicates air traffic volume in each of the plurality of geographic regions during particular time periods. The method also includes, based on the historical data, identifying at least one meteorological condition and at least one time period corresponding to higher than threshold air traffic volume in a particular geographic region of the plurality of geographic regions. The method further includes generating a filter criterion based on the particular geographic region, the at least one meteorological condition, and the at least one time period. The method also includes generating a flight plan based on a portion of the historical data that satisfies the filter criterion.

Abstract: A method, vehicle, and system for calculating the location of a center of mass of the vehicle and transferring fuel to move the location of the center of mass are provided. The location of the center of mass of the vehicle is determined by measuring or calculating forces acting on the vehicle that counteract the gravitational forces on the vehicle. The location of the center of mass is calculated by determining on a moment arm of the gravitational force that counteracts the moment arms of the other forces acting on the vehicle. Fuel can be transferred among differently-located fuel tanks in the vehicle to move the location of the center of mass to a position in which at least some of the other forces acting on the vehicle are reduced, which may increase the speed and/or efficiency of the vehicle.

Abstract: A wind forecast prediction apparatus includes an historical forecast patterns module configured to generate at least one historical wind forecast pattern and determine a deviation magnitude and a probability of occurrence of the at least one historical wind forecast pattern based on at least one actual wind value; a current wind forecast module; and a wind forecast prediction controller connected to the historical forecast patterns module and current wind forecast module, the wind forecast prediction controller is configured to generate a current wind forecast pattern based on current wind data from the current wind forecast module; and determine a matching historical wind forecast pattern from the at least one historical wind forecast pattern that matches the current wind forecast pattern, where the deviation magnitude and the probability of occurrence of the matching historical wind forecast pattern are combined with the current wind forecast pattern to generate a predicted wind forecast.