Single motor single actuator rotorcraft

A method of operation executed by an unmanned rotorcraft, the method comprising:

• receiving a target destination for the rotorcraft;
• activating a single propulsion unit coupled to an airframe of the rotorcraft;
• determining a current location and a current heading of the rotorcraft;
• determining a flight path from the current location to the target destination;
• determining whether the current heading corresponds to the flight path;
• when the current heading corresponds to the flight path, maintaining the current heading;
• and
• when the current heading does not correspond to the flight path, causing an actuator that is coupled to the airframe and the propulsion unit to temporarily reorient the propulsion unit in accordance with an angular orientation of the actuator relative to the current heading, thereby adjusting the current heading toward the flight path;
• wherein operation of the single propulsion unit alone provides both rotation of a propeller and counter-rotation of the airframe and rotor blades.