Method for planning the operation of an aerial vehicle, control unit for an aerial vehicle and aerial vehicle with such a control unit

A control unit for an aerial vehicle, for operating and controlling the aerial vehicle, which operation is divided into different flight phases each having an individualized planning methodology, the flight phases including at least two of a takeoff phase, a landing phase, a final approach phase, and a corridor phase, said planning methodologies being individually validatable and inspectable, the control unit comprising:

• a computer-based data pre-processing unit that is at least one of ground-based or on board the aerial vehicle that is configured to pre-process data on a ground-located computer basis before takeoff of the aerial vehicle to generate one or more flight paths for each flight phase of the different flight phases, wherein the pre-pre-processing includes preparing available data records and preplanning of a set of flight paths for each flight phase that is as complete as possible of all flight paths relevant during operation;
• a database, which is taken along on board the aerial vehicle, that includes pre-planned results of the data pre-processing unit as the one or more flight paths for each flight phase are stored;
• a computer-based decision logic on board the aerial vehicle configured for:
• combining the pre-planned results of the one or more flight paths for each flight phase from the database using the decision logic;
• carrying out additional planning steps at a time of flying in accordance with a measured state of the aerial vehicle;
• and
• generating a current flight path based on the one or more flight paths for the different flight phases;
• and
• a controller in operative connection with the decision logic for controlling the aerial vehicle along the current flight path.