Useful unmanned aerial vehicle

A method of operating an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) in hybrid flight mode, the method comprising:

• providing a UAV;
• providing a control station communicatively coupled to the UAV, the control station comprising:
• a control interface;
• and
• a heading offset indicator;
• placing the UAV in a first position with a first velocity and first heading;
• and
• manipulating the control interface to change the heading offset indicator, resulting in:
• the control station sending target position data to the UAV;
• and
• the UAV, in response to the target position data, following a path substantially corresponding to the target position data.

A method of operating an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) in autopilot flight mode, the method comprising:

• providing a UAV, the UAV comprising:
• a navigation computer;
• a position locator communicatively coupled to the navigation computer;
• and
• control surfaces configured to actuate in response to control signals from the navigation computer;
• providing a control station communicatively coupled to the UAV, the control station comprising a target programming interface;
• entering a target into the target programming interface, the target including a base position and an offset;
• and
• sending the target to the UAV;
• wherein the navigation computer is configured to actuate the control surfaces in response to the UAV receiving the target and to direct the UAV to a position corresponding substantially to the target.

A method of navigating an unmanned aerial vehicle in follow flight mode, the method comprising:

• providing a UAV;
• providing a tracking device configured to track a moving subject;
• receiving from the tracking device a position of the moving subject;
• and
• instructing the UAV to move to a position relative to the position of the moving subject.

An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) comprising:

• a navigation computer;
• a position locator communicatively coupled to the navigation computer;
• a transceiver communicatively coupling the navigation computer to a control station;
• and
• control surfaces actuated in response to control signals from the navigation computer;
• wherein the navigation computer is configured to:
• receive a target from the control station, the target including a base position and an offset;
• and
• generate control signals in response to the guidance instructions, resulting in the UAV moving to a position substantially in conformance with the target.

A method of using an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) for symbolic communication, the method comprising:

• providing a UAV with an exterior surface color;
• and
• causing the UAV to follow a flight path;
• wherein the UAV color is selected to communicate a message and the flight path is selected to make the UAV visible to a target audience.