A UAV landing system can include a landing pad defining a landing area including a target point; a plurality of positioning radio transmitters positioned in a spaced apart relation and equidistant from the target point, each radio transmitter transmitting a ranging signal; and a position determination and aircraft navigation system at the incoming UAV to receive the ranging signals; determine a range to each positioning radio using the received ranging signals; compute a position of the UAV relative to the target point; determine a course for the UAV to a point above the target point of the landing pad; fly the UAV to the point above the target point of the landing pad, and cause the aircraft to descend vertically toward the target point when the UAV reaches the point above the target point.