Method and system for controlling safe takeoff and landing of pilotless vertical takeoff and landing (vtol) aircraft

A pilotless vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) aircraft, comprising:

• an onboard computer, wherein the onboard computer is configured to control a landing procedure of the VTOL aircraft in the air onto a landing pad on the ground by:
• determining an estimated location of the landing pad with a first accuracy;
• reducing a height of the VTOL aircraft in the air to a first level above the ground while approaching the estimated location of the landing pad;
• determining an updated location of the landing pad with a second accuracy;
• reducing the height of the VTOL aircraft in the air to a second level above the ground while approaching the updated location of the landing pad;
• aligning a center point of the VTOL aircraft with a center location of the landing pad;
• and
• landing the VTOL aircraft onto the landing pad by directly lowering the VTOL onto the landing pad.

A computer-implemented method for controlling a landing procedure of a pilotless vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) aircraft during a flight of the VTOL aircraft in the air, the method comprising:

• controlling the VTOL aircraft to approach a designated landing spot from the air for landing on the designated landing spot;
• detecting, using an obstacle detection system installed on the VTOL aircraft, if there is any obstacle in a landing path between the VTOL aircraft and the designated landing spot that prevents a safe landing of the VTOL aircraft;
• when an obstacle is detected in the landing path, guiding the VTOL aircraft to maneuver away from the detected obstacle in an attempt to land on the designated landing spot while avoiding the detected obstacle;
• and
• when it is determined that the detected obstacle cannot be avoided, aborting the landing on the designated landing spot.