A generally rigid ground control target preferably fabricated from a biodegradable or compostable material and optionally include a biodegradable securing stake is described. In one variation of the ground control target scored or perforated sections are provided including a center portion thereof that are selectively removable to convert the target into a stencil for use in applying painted targets directly on a ground surface.

A generally rigid ground control target preferably fabricated from a biodegradable or compostable material and optionally include a biodegradable securing stake is described. In one variation of the ground control target scored or perforated sections are provided including a center portion thereof that are selectively removable to convert the target into a stencil for use in applying painted targets directly on a ground surface.

The present invention provides an attachment device for an aircraft landing guidance flashing light and an aircraft landing guidance flashing device that do not require adjustment of the angle of the flashing light at the time of attaching an aircraft landing guidance flashing light to the attachment device for an aircraft landing guidance flashing light. An attachment device for an aircraft landing guidance flashing light includes a pair of attachment arms 11; and a light emitting portion fixing plate 12. The light emitting portion fixing plate 12 detachably fixes an aircraft landing guidance flashing light. The light emitting portion fixing plate 12 is supported by the pair of attachment arms 11 such that an angle of the aircraft landing guidance flashing light is at a predetermined angle in a state where the aircraft landing guidance flashing light is fixed to the light emitting portion fixing plate.

The present invention provides an attachment device for an aircraft landing guidance flashing light and an aircraft landing guidance flashing device that do not require adjustment of the angle of the flashing light at the time of attaching an aircraft landing guidance flashing light to the attachment device for an aircraft landing guidance flashing light. An attachment device for an aircraft landing guidance flashing light includes a pair of attachment arms 11; and a light emitting portion fixing plate 12. The light emitting portion fixing plate 12 detachably fixes an aircraft landing guidance flashing light. The light emitting portion fixing plate 12 is supported by the pair of attachment arms 11 such that an angle of the aircraft landing guidance flashing light is at a predetermined angle in a state where the aircraft landing guidance flashing light is fixed to the light emitting portion fixing plate.

An apparatus for visual navigation of a UAV includes a geo-fiducial mat and a plurality of geo-fiducials. The geo-fiducial mat includes a landing pad region that provides a location for aligning with a landing pad of a UAV. The geo-fiducials each includes a two-dimensional (2D) pattern that visually conveys a code. The 2D pattern has a shape from which a visual navigation system of the UAV can visually triangulate a position of the UAV.

An apparatus for visual navigation of a UAV includes a geo-fiducial mat and a plurality of geo-fiducials. The geo-fiducial mat includes a landing pad region that provides a location for aligning with a landing pad of a UAV. The geo-fiducials each includes a two-dimensional (2D) pattern that visually conveys a code. The 2D pattern has a shape from which a visual navigation system of the UAV can visually triangulate a position of the UAV.

A human-machine interface for displaying an intuitive and accurate graphic representation for assisting in take-off or landing, based on a fully autonomous system essentially using only images captured by embedded cameras and data from avionics systems of the aircraft, the graphic representation including indicators based on a processing of a stream of images taken by embedded cameras and comprising a representation of a runway straight line indicative of the central longitudinal axis of the runway and of at least one deviation indicator representative of the difference between the longitudinal axis of the aircraft and the central longitudinal axis of the runway.

Systems and methods for enabling consistent smooth takeoffs and landings of vertical and/or short-runway takeoff and landing aircraft at sites with gusty conditions. The system includes a network of wind measurement stations deployed around the perimeter of a takeoff/landing site for spatio-temporally characterizing wind fluctuations (e.g., wind gusts) that enter a volume of airspace overlying the site, data processing means for deriving information about the fluctuations from the wind measurements, communication means for transmitting disturbance information to the aircraft, and a flight control system onboard the aircraft that is configured to use the disturbance information to control the aircraft in a manner that compensates for the fluctuations. The wind measurement units may include laser Doppler anemometers, sound detection and ranging systems or other devices capable of simultaneous spatially and temporally resolved wind measurements.

Detection means of an unmanned aerial vehicle control system is configured to detect an object existing at a location at which at least one of landing or takeoff of an unmanned aerial vehicle is to be performed. Type identification means is configured to identify a type of the object based on a result of detection by the detection means. Restriction means is configured to restrict at least one of landing or takeoff of the unmanned aerial vehicle based on the type identified by the type identification means.

The present invention relates to a system for detecting a foreign object on a runway. The system includes a thermal camera having a first field of view and adapted to capture a thermal image of an area of interest on the runway, a visible light camera having a second field of view and adapted to capture a visible light image of the area of interest on the runway, such that the first field of view overlaps the second field of view. The system further includes a processor configured to detect a thermal object image in the thermal image, detect a visible light object image in the visible light image, and determine that the foreign object is detected when the thermal object image and the visible light object image are detected in the thermal image and the visible light image respectively.