A control device according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes: at least one memory storing a set of instructions; and at least one processor configured to execute the set of instructions to: control a first flying object and a second flying object in such a way that the first flying object hovers above a first target device, and the second flying object hovers above a second target device; control the first flying object in such a way that the first flying object measure a first distance to the second flying object in response to the first flying object hovering above the first target device and the second flying object hovering above the second target device; and acquire the measured first distance from the first flying object.

A control device according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes: at least one memory storing a set of instructions; and at least one processor configured to execute the set of instructions to: control a first flying object and a second flying object in such a way that the first flying object hovers above a first target device, and the second flying object hovers above a second target device; control the first flying object in such a way that the first flying object measure a first distance to the second flying object in response to the first flying object hovering above the first target device and the second flying object hovering above the second target device; and acquire the measured first distance from the first flying object.

Provided is a flight control apparatus including a pair of sensors that are spaced apart in a vertical direction on a surface of a flying object which uses motive power of a power source powered by a battery to fly and that detect a physical quantity corresponding to a state of an airflow, and a control unit that controls a flight state of the flying object on the basis of a difference between outputs of the pair of sensors.

An agricultural chemical spraying drone with improved safety is provided. The drone includes an altitude measurement sensor and a speed measurement sensor and controls not to exceed an altitude restriction and a speed restriction of an airframe by using a flight controller. The sensors are desirable be combination of multiple types. Particularly, the altitude is desirably measured by a GPS during take-off and by a sonar during chemical spraying. Weight of the airframe is measured from time to time, and the altitude restriction and the speed restriction may be adjusted according to the weight.

A system for autonomous flight of an electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. The system may include a pusher component, a lift component, a flight controller, and a pilot override switch. The pusher component is mechanically coupled to the eVTOL aircraft. The lift component is mechanically coupled to the eVTOL aircraft. The flight controller is communicatively connected to the pilot override switch. The flight controller is configured to identify a transition point, initiate operation of the pusher component, and terminate operation of the lift component. A method for flight control of an eVTOL aircraft is also provided.

A system and a method for operating an aircraft during a climb phase of flight include a control unit configured to receive data regarding one or both of a current flight or one or more previous flights of the aircraft from one or more sensors of the aircraft. The control unit is further configured to determine efficient climb phase parameters for the aircraft based on the data. The aircraft is operated during the climb phase of one or both of the current flight or one or more future flights according to the efficient climb phase parameters.

Multi-media parcel delivery systems and associated methods are provided herein including systems capable of delivering a parcel through air and one or more bodies of water. In certain embodiments, an aerial vehicle is configured to couple to the parcel using a cable. A control system is used to control operating parameters including velocity, altitude, and pose of the aerial vehicle, and a length and orientation of the cable extending between the aerial vehicle and the parcel.

A flight control method and device, and an aircraft are provided. The method includes: in a flight state, in response to a collision between an aircraft and an object, generating a trigger signal for characterizing an abnormality; and in response to the trigger signal, reducing rotation speeds of all motors in a power system of the aircraft to reduce a flight altitude of the aircraft, and adjusting an attitude of the aircraft to a normal attitude. It can reduce the occurrence of abnormal situations in which an aircraft flips over after colliding with an obstacle and finally firmly attached to the obstacle.

A flight control method and device, and an aircraft are provided. The method includes: in a flight state, in response to a collision between an aircraft and an object, generating a trigger signal for characterizing an abnormality; and in response to the trigger signal, reducing rotation speeds of all motors in a power system of the aircraft to reduce a flight altitude of the aircraft, and adjusting an attitude of the aircraft to a normal attitude. It can reduce the occurrence of abnormal situations in which an aircraft flips over after colliding with an obstacle and finally firmly attached to the obstacle.

A method for selecting an altitude changing phase route for an aircraft is presented. The method comprises receiving sequences of multivariate flight data from at least one prior flight, receiving a set of flight parameters for the aircraft including at least a total altitude change and a takeoff weight, and receiving a set of candidate altitude changing phase routes having candidate step profiles. For each candidate altitude changing phase route, a sequence of fuel burn quantities is predicted for the respective candidate step profile based on at least the sequences of multivariate flight data and the set of flight parameters. The fuel burn quantities are summed over the candidate altitude changing phase route to obtain an estimated fuel burn. A preferred candidate altitude changing phase route having a lowest estimated fuel burn is indicated.