On robust transition maneuvers for a class of tail-sitter vehicles

This paper focuses on the problem of performing a robust transition maneuver for a particular class of tail sitter V/STOL (Vertical/Short Take-Off and Landing) aerial vehicles in which a switch from the hover flight towards the more efficient level flight configuration can be obtained by a change of the attitude. By considering also the presence of wind disturbances, this work proposes a control strategy based upon a path planning approach in order to improve the flight envelope protection of the airframe.