def state_to_three_dim_vec_structs(self):
        """
        Convert the values from the state estimator into ThreeDimVec structs to
        make calculations concise
        """
        # store the positions
        pose = self.current_state.pose_with_covariance.pose
        self.current_position.x = pose.position.x
        self.current_position.y = pose.position.y
        self.current_position.z = pose.position.z

        # store the linear velocities
        twist = self.current_state.twist_with_covariance.twist
        self.current_velocity.x = twist.linear.x
        self.current_velocity.y = twist.linear.y
        self.current_velocity.z = twist.linear.z

        # store the orientations
        self.previous_rpy = self.current_rpy
        quaternion = (pose.orientation.x, pose.orientation.y, pose.orientation.z, pose.orientation.w)
        r,p,y = tf.transformations.euler_from_quaternion(quaternion)
        self.current_rpy = RPY(r,p,y)
    def __init__(self):
        # Initialize the current and desired modes
        self.current_mode = Mode('DISARMED')
        self.desired_mode = Mode('DISARMED')

        # Initialize in velocity control
        self.position_control = False

        # Initialize the current and desired positions
        self.current_position = Position()
        self.desired_position = Position(z=0.3)
        self.last_desired_position = Position(z=0.3)

        # Initialize the position error
        self.position_error = Error()

        # Initialize the current and desired velocities
        self.current_velocity = Velocity()
        self.desired_velocity = Velocity()

        # Initialize the velocity error
        self.velocity_error = Error()

        # Set the distance that a velocity command will move the drone (m)
        self.desired_velocity_travel_distance = 0.1
        # Set a static duration that a velocity command will be held
        self.desired_velocity_travel_time = 0.1

        # Set a static duration that a yaw velocity command will be held
        self.desired_yaw_velocity_travel_time = 0.25

        # Store the start time of the desired velocities
        self.desired_velocity_start_time = None
        self.desired_yaw_velocity_start_time = None

        # Initialize the primary PID
        self.pid = PID()

        # Initialize the error used for the PID which is vx, vy, z where vx and
        # vy are velocities, and z is the error in the altitude of the drone
        self.pid_error = Error()

        # Initialize the 'position error to velocity error' PIDs:
        # left/right (roll) pid
        self.lr_pid = PIDaxis(kp=10.0,
                              ki=0.5,
                              kd=5.0,
                              midpoint=0,
                              control_range=(-10.0, 10.0))
        # front/back (pitch) pid
        self.fb_pid = PIDaxis(kp=10.0,
                              ki=0.5,
                              kd=5.0,
                              midpoint=0,
                              control_range=(-10.0, 10.0))

        # Initialize the pose callback time
        self.last_pose_time = None

        # Initialize the desired yaw velocity
        self.desired_yaw_velocity = 0

        # Initialize the current and  previous roll, pitch, yaw values
        self.current_rpy = RPY()
        self.previous_rpy = RPY()

        # initialize the current and previous states
        self.current_state = State()
        self.previous_state = State()

        # Store the command publisher
        self.cmdpub = None

        # a variable used to determine if the drone is moving between disired
        # positions
        self.moving = False

        # a variable that determines the maximum magnitude of the position error
        # Any greater position error will overide the drone into velocity
        # control
        self.safety_threshold = 1.5

        # determines if the position of the drone is known
        self.lost = False

        # determines if the desired poses are aboslute or relative to the drone
        self.absolute_desired_position = False

        # determines whether to use open loop velocity path planning which is
        # accomplished by calculate_travel_time
        self.path_planning = True