Abstract: A method for automated assignment of a staging pad to an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) includes: launching the UAV from a launch location; tracking a drift of the UAV from the launch location; determining a subsequent position of the UAV after the launching based upon geofiducial navigation; calculating an estimated position of the launch location by offsetting the subsequent position by the drift; attempting to match the estimated position to an available staging pad of a plurality of staging pads; and assigning the UAV to the available staging pad when the estimated position successfully matches to the available staging pad.

Abstract: A method for automated assignment of a staging pad to an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) includes: launching the UAV from a launch location; tracking a drift of the UAV from the launch location; determining a subsequent position of the UAV after the launching based upon geofiducial navigation; calculating an estimated position of the launch location by offsetting the subsequent position by the drift; attempting to match the estimated position to an available staging pad of a plurality of staging pads; and assigning the UAV to the available staging pad when the estimated position successfully matches to the available staging pad.