An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) control method includes obtaining target flight data and current flight data; determining a control state variable based on the target flight data and the current flight data; and calibrating a center of gravity of the UAV based on the control state variable.

Systems, computer-implemented methods and/or computer program products that facilitate measuring weight and balance and optimizing center of gravity are provided. In one embodiment, a system 100 utilizes a processor 106 that executes computer implemented components stored in a memory 104. A compression component 108 calculates compression of landing gear struts based on height above ground of an aircraft. A gravity component 110 determines center of gravity based on differential compression of the landing gear struts. An optimization component 112 automatically optimizes the center of gravity to a rear limit of a center of gravity margin.

The present application provides an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) for a long duration flight. An exemplary UAV may include a UAV body assembly. The UAV may also include a flight control system (FCS) coupled to the UAV body assembly. The UAV may further include a motor coupled to the UAV body assembly at one end and coupled to a propeller at the other end. The FCS is communicatively connected to the motor. A center of gravity (CG) of the UAV is at a point between 21% and 25% of a mean aerodynamic chord (MAC) of the UAV.

A method of determining a center of gravity of an aircraft in flight by comparing actual control surface actuator displacements to expected control surface actuator displacements. And a method of fuel/load management based on an offset of the center of gravity from a preferred center of gravity and a handling qualities factor.

A seat determination system according to an embodiment is a seat determination system for determining seat assignment of each of a plurality of passengers in an aircraft including a plurality of seats for passengers, including: a weight measuring unit for measuring an on-board weight of each of passengers to board the aircraft, the on-board weight being a weight to be carried by the aircraft; a calculation unit for calculating a center-of-gravity position of the aircraft when the on-board weights of the passengers are assigned to respective seat positions in each of a plurality of estimated seat assignments; and a selection unit for selecting a seat assignment with the center-of-gravity position being within a predetermined range from among the estimated seat assignments.

A method and system for determining and implementing weight distribution of payload on an aircraft for optimizing centre of gravity of the aircraft by providing an individual weight factor for each passenger and/or crew member and their respective hand luggage and allocating at least a portion of the passengers and/or crew members seats according to the effect of passenger and/or crew member's positions on the aircraft on centre of gravity position provides advantages in determining accurately cabin payload data and cabin payload distribution for optimum fuel efficiency of an aircraft on a flight. Thus, fuel may be saved and carbon dioxide emissions may be reduced.

A method for loading an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle with one or more items is disclosed. The method includes determining a Center of Gravity of each of the one or more items. The method also includes matching a combined Center of Gravity of the one or more items with a Center of Gravity of the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle.

The present disclosure provides methods and systems for providing a lateral center of gravity of an aircraft on an aircraft display. A fuel distribution in the aircraft fuel tanks is determined. A lateral center of gravity of the aircraft is determined based on the fuel distribution. The lateral center of gravity is sent to the aircraft display. The present disclosure further provides an aircraft display for displaying the lateral center of gravity of an aircraft.

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.

A method of determining a center of gravity of an aircraft in flight by comparing actual control surface actuator displacements to expected control surface actuator displacements. And a method of fuel/load management based on an offset of the center of gravity from a preferred center of gravity and a handling qualities factor.