Method of flight plan optimization of a high altitude long endurance aircraft

A system, comprising:

• at least one unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV);
• at least one flight control computer (FCC) associated with each UAV of the at least one UAV, wherein the FCC controls movement of said each UAV of the at least one UAV;
• at least one computing device associated with a ground control station, wherein the at least one computing device is in communication with the at least one FCC;
• wherein the at least one FCC maintains a first station-keeping flight pattern of a respective UAV of the at least one UAV above the ground control station, wherein the first station-keeping flight pattern comprises a D-loop flight pattern;
• wherein the at least one computing device is configured to:
• determine whether a wind speed exceeds a set threshold that is a predetermined percentage of a current flight speed of the respective UAV of the at least one UAV, and transmit a transition signal comprising a set of spatial coordinates to the at least one FCC to transition the respective UAV of the at least one UAV from the first station-keeping flight pattern to a second station-keeping flight pattern in response to the determination that the wind speed exceeds the set threshold, wherein the second station-keeping flight pattern comprises a figure-eight flight pattern;
• and
• wherein the at least one computing device is further configured to:
• generate a connecting flight path between the first station-keeping flight pattern and the second station-keeping flight pattern that allows for a constant turn rate over most of the connecting flight path and more gradual banking maneuvers as the respective UAV of the at least one UAV transitions between the first and second station-keeping flight patterns, and wherein the transition between the first and second station-keeping flight patterns occurs proximate an intersect point located at a center of the D-loop flight pattern above the ground control station;
• and
• wherein the at least one computing device is further configured to, in response to the wind speed falling below the set threshold relative to the flight speed, transmit an exit command signal comprising the set of spatial coordinates to follow to transition the respective UAV of the at least one UAV from the figure-eight flight pattern back to the D-loop flight pattern.