A method comprising: identifying, by at least one computer processor, a first course, a first speed and a first orientation for an aerial vehicle, wherein the aerial vehicle comprises a first propulsion motor mounted to an airframe and a second propulsion motor mounted to the airframe; determining, by the at least one computer processor, a first net force that is expected to act upon the aerial vehicle at a first time, wherein the first net force comprises a first magnitude and a first direction, determining, by the at least one computer processor, at least a second net force required to cause the aerial vehicle to travel along the first course at the first speed and in the first orientation, wherein the second net force comprises a second magnitude and a second direction; wherein determining at least the second net force comprises: determining, by the at least one computer processor, at least the second net force based at least in part on the first net force and at least one of the first course, the first speed or the first orientation; selecting at least a first alignment and a first operating speed for the first propulsion motor based at least in part on the second net force; selecting at least a second operating speed for the second propulsion motor based at least in part on the second net force; rotating the first propulsion motor to the first alignment by a first servo motor prior to the first time; operating the first propulsion motor at the first operating speed in the first alignment at the first time; and operating the second propulsion motor at the second operating speed at the first time. identifying, by at least one computer processor, a first course, a first speed and a first orientation for an aerial vehicle, wherein the aerial vehicle comprises a first propulsion motor mounted to an airframe and a second propulsion motor mounted to the airframe; determining, by the at least one computer processor, a first net force that is expected to act upon the aerial vehicle at a first time, wherein the first net force comprises a first magnitude and a first direction, determining, by the at least one computer processor, at least a second net force required to cause the aerial vehicle to travel along the first course at the first speed and in the first orientation, wherein the second net force comprises a second magnitude and a second direction; wherein determining at least the second net force comprises: determining, by the at least one computer processor, at least the second net force based at least in part on the first net force and at least one of the first course, the first speed or the first orientation; selecting at least a first alignment and a first operating speed for the first propulsion motor based at least in part on the second net force; selecting at least a second operating speed for the second propulsion motor based at least in part on the second net force; rotating the first propulsion motor to the first alignment by a first servo motor prior to the first time; operating the first propulsion motor at the first operating speed in the first alignment at the first time; and operating the second propulsion motor at the second operating speed at the first time.