US Patent 9428279 Systems and methods for airspeed estimation using actuation signals

Systems and methods for airspeed estimation using actuation signals are provided. In one embodiment, an on-board avionics airspeed estimation system is provided. The system comprises: a flight control surface for an aircraft; a control surface actuator coupled to the flight control surface, wherein the control surface actuator receives an actuator control output signal from an actuator control system and drives the flight control surface into a position based on the actuator control output signal; a wind estimator coupled to a plurality of aircraft sensors, wherein the plurality of aircraft sensors output a set of aircraft measurements to the wind estimator and wherein the actuator control output signal is further provided to the wind estimator; wherein the wind estimator calculates a wind speed estimate by applying the actuator control output and the set of aircraft measurements to an onboard aircraft model.