Achieving Autonomous Landing of Fixed Wing UAVs

Abstract: This bachelor thesis aims to ascertain a method of achieving autonomous landings of autonomouslycontrolled fixed wing UAVs. An autonomous Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) is an aircraft capable ofcomplete autonomous flight with the help of a flight computer, sensors, and autopilot software. Theresults of this thesis will be used to further the student project ALPHA undertaken at KTH RoyalInstitute of Technology. The name ALPHA is an acronym for Autonomous Light Platform for HighAltitude atmospheric imaging. As the name suggests, the aim of the project is to create a platform, inthe form of an autonomous fixed wing UAV, for high altitude imaging of optical phenomena in theatmosphere. For the purpose of this project, a fixed wing UAV was built and used in test flights thatculminated in successfully performing autonomous landings.