A first construction module for a modular landing platform is for vertical landing aircraft. The module includes a module body with a resting wall placed on a supporting surface. A landing wall opposite to the resting wall is adapted be contacted by the aircraft during the landing step. First and second interconnecting walls are opposite to each other and interposed between the resting wall and the landing wall. First and second coupling portions protrude laterally outwards from the first interconnecting wall, the first and second coupling portions being of a different type and mutually spaced apart. Third and fourth coupling portions protrude laterally outwards from the second interconnecting wall, and are of a different type and spaced apart. The third and fourth coupling portions of the first module are adapted to couple respectively with the first and second coupling portions of a second module identical to the first module.

An aerial vehicle includes a body and a wireless charging receiver pad connected to the body, whereby the aerial vehicle is configured to be wirelessly charged when parked above a wireless charging transmitter pad. The aerial vehicle includes landing gear connected to the body and extending underneath the body. The landing gear is configured for actuation to control the location of the receiver pad with respect to the transmitter pad.

An exemplary airport tug is configured to navigate an airport facility autonomously. The exemplary airport tug may comprise a coupling portion configured to engage with a receiving portion of an aircraft, one or more sensors configured to collect sensor data descriptive of environmental conditions in a vicinity of the airport tug, a memory storing instructions, and one or more processors communicatively coupled to the memory and configured to execute the instructions to perform a process comprising: monitoring, based on the sensor data, the environmental conditions in the vicinity of the airport tug; and directing, based on the monitoring of the environmental conditions and while the coupling portion is engaged to the receiving portion, autonomous movement of the airport tug to transport the aircraft from a starting position to a designated delivery position for the aircraft at the airport facility.

A mobile nest for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) includes a cuboid-shaped frame, staging pads, charging electronics, and exterior siding. The cuboid-shaped frame includes vertical supports positioned at corners of the cuboid-shaped frame. The staging pads are adapted for landing, launching, and charging the UAVs. The staging pads are mounted to pivot about two or more of the vertical supports. Each of the staging pads rotates into the cuboid-shaped frame when stowed and rotates out of the cuboid-shaped frame when deployed for launching or landing the corresponding one of the UAVs. The charging electronics are disposed within the cuboid-shaped frame and coupled to the staging pads to charge the UAVs when the UAVs are positioned on the staging pads. The exterior siding is mounted to the cuboid-shaped frame to provide a weather barrier that protects the UAVs from weather when the UAVs are stowed within the mobile housing structure.

A method for controlling operation of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), includes receiving one or more commands selected by a user via a remote controller of the UAV, and in response to a received landing command: identifying the vehicle from a plurality of vehicles for landing, navigating the UAV to travel in a substantially same direction as the vehicle, and controlling the UAV to land on the vehicle when the UAV approaches the vehicle. The one or more commands includes at least the landing command to land the UAV on a vehicle while the vehicle is in operation.

A method for controlling operation of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), includes receiving one or more commands selected by a user via a remote controller of the UAV, and in response to a received landing command: identifying the vehicle from a plurality of vehicles for landing, navigating the UAV to travel in a substantially same direction as the vehicle, and controlling the UAV to land on the vehicle when the UAV approaches the vehicle. The one or more commands includes at least the landing command to land the UAV on a vehicle while the vehicle is in operation.

A runway guidance sign includes a housing defining an interior space and an opening at a front side. The housing includes opposite upper and lower walls. An interior upright is received in the interior space of the housing. The interior upright is fastened to and extends between the upper and lower walls. The interior upright is integrally formed from a one-piece sheet of material.

A drone loaded with a package takes off from a takeoff device and uses a GPS system to fly to a user house that is a delivery destination of the package as the destination. Further, when the drone approaches the user house that is the destination, the flight of the drones is switched from autonomous navigation using the GPS system to remote control performed by a landing device and an in-house control device installed in the user house. The drone lands on the landing device by remote control from the landing device and the in-house control device, separates the package, and then returns to the warehouse using the GPS system and lands on the takeoff device.

A drone loaded with a package takes off from a takeoff device and uses a GPS system to fly to a user house that is a delivery destination of the package as the destination. Further, when the drone approaches the user house that is the destination, the flight of the drones is switched from autonomous navigation using the GPS system to remote control performed by a landing device and an in-house control device installed in the user house. The drone lands on the landing device by remote control from the landing device and the in-house control device, separates the package, and then returns to the warehouse using the GPS system and lands on the takeoff device.

An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) storage and launch system, including: a UAV pod having an interior; and a telescoping UAV landing surface disposed in the interior of the UAV pod; where the telescoping UAV landing surface may translate up toward a top opening of the UAV pod, translate down into an interior of the UAV pod, or rotate relative to the UAV pod.