Systems, apparatus, and methods are provided for retrieving data from remotely deployed sensor systems. Flight control systems are also provided for maintaining the orientation of a high gain antenna affixed to an aircraft relative to a stationary or nearly stationary transceiver.

Methods and systems for controlling a bank angle, a heading angle and an altitude of an aircraft during flight are provided. The methods and systems disclosed herein make use of sliding mode control and feedback linearization control (nonlinear dynamic control) techniques. The methods and systems can provide autopilot-type functions that can autonomously execute aggressive maneuvers as well as more gentle maneuvers for aircraft.

A compensation method for barometer-based height measurement includes obtaining a flight speed of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) in response to a change of a motion state of the UAV, determining a flight height compensation value corresponding to the flight speed of the UAV according to a predetermined corresponding relationship between flight speeds and flight height compensation values, and, during a process of changing the motion state, compensating a flight height detected by a barometer of the UAV according to the flight height compensation value.

Aircraft indication systems and processes for calculating an engine-out return altitude for an aircraft are described. In implementations, an aircraft indication system comprises a memory operable to store one or more modules and a processor coupled to the memory. The processor is operable to execute the one or more modules to cause the processor to: identify a takeoff event associated with the aircraft; access dynamic aircraft performance data including at least a current altitude of the aircraft; calculate an engine-out return altitude for the aircraft; and provide a return altitude indication to a pilot of the aircraft using the calculated engine-out return altitude.

A method for enhanced three-dimensional awareness of the environment linked to the ground around an aircraft and anticipation of the potential threats of the environment is implemented by a system for enhanced 3D awareness of the environment around the aircraft comprising an electronic enhanced three-dimensional environment awareness and piloting assistance computer, an obstruction database, and a primary flight display PFD, included in a synthetic vision system SVS or derivative. The method for enhanced three-dimensional awareness of the environment and anticipation of potential environmental threats comprising: a first step of calculation of a panoramic curve of safe minimum slope as a function of the azimuth angle of vision from the aircraft in a local horizontal plane; and a second step, consecutive and executed on command, of display of the panoramic curve of safe minimum slope and of any piloting assistance information.

Systems and methods are provided for indicating a bank limit on an instrument display of an aircraft. In an example implementation, static air pressure measurements, impact air pressure measurements, an acceleration measurement, and an angle of attack may be received from corresponding sensors. A current airspeed and a stick shaker speed are determined. A minimum maneuver speed is determined from the current airspeed and the shaker stick speed. A bank limit indicator is provided on the flight display when the current airspeed is equal to or less than the minimum maneuver speed. A bank angle limit is displayed on the bank limit indicator based on the extent to which the current airspeed is equal to or less than the minimum maneuver speed.

Methods and systems for controlling a bank angle, a heading angle and an altitude of an aircraft during flight are provided. The methods and systems disclosed herein make use of sliding mode control and feedback linearization control (nonlinear dynamic control) techniques. The methods and systems can provide autopilot-type functions that can autonomously execute aggressive maneuvers as well as more gentle maneuvers for aircraft.

A method of developing a flight path for precision flying over an area of interest, the method including, in an electronic processing device, determining coordinate and elevation data relating to an area of interest, using the coordinate and elevation data to determine a flight path including precision paths corresponding to precision flying trajectories and non-precision paths interconnecting at least some of the precision paths, and generating path data at least partially indicative of the flight path, the path data being useable in generating control signals for at least partially controlling operation of the aircraft, in use.

Systems and methods are provided for indicating a bank limit on an instrument display of an aircraft. In an example implementation, static air pressure measurements, impact air pressure measurements, an acceleration measurement, and an angle of attack may be received from corresponding sensors. A current airspeed and a stick shaker speed are determined. A minimum maneuver speed is determined from the current airspeed and the shaker stick speed. A bank limit indicator is provided on the flight display when the current airspeed is equal to or less than the minimum maneuver speed. A bank angle limit is displayed on the bank limit indicator based on the extent to which the current airspeed is equal to or less than the minimum maneuver speed.