# Standard Configuration

This section covers the common software configuration and calibration needed for most PX4 vehicles.

You must first [load firmware and select your vehicle frame/type](#firmware-vehicle-selection). Most other steps can be done out of order, except for [tuning](#tuning), which must be done last.

## Preconditions

Before starting you should [Download QGroundControl](http://qgroundcontrol.com/downloads/) and install it on your **desktop** computer. Then open the QGC application menu ("Q" icon in the top-left corner) and choose **Vehicle Setup** in the *Select Tool* popup:

![QGC Main Menu Popup: highlighting Vehicle Setup](https://4155462212-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-LArEa7z2SPawfl3HpCD%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-596803cca279fa53bc737c21525ece648a0e2a5b%2Fmenu_setup.png?alt=media)

## Configuration Steps

### Firmware/Vehicle Selection

* [Loading Firmware](https://px4.gitbook.io/px4-user-guide/config/firmware)
* [Vehicle (Frame) Selection](https://px4.gitbook.io/px4-user-guide/config/airframe)

### Motor/Actuator Setup

* [ESC Calibration](https://px4.gitbook.io/px4-user-guide/config/esc_calibration)
* [Actuator Configuration and Testing](https://px4.gitbook.io/px4-user-guide/config/actuators)

### Sensor Calibration

* [Sensor Orientation](https://px4.gitbook.io/px4-user-guide/config/flight_controller_orientation)
* [Compass](https://px4.gitbook.io/px4-user-guide/config/compass)
* [Gyroscope](https://px4.gitbook.io/px4-user-guide/config/gyroscope)
* [Accelerometer](https://px4.gitbook.io/px4-user-guide/config/accelerometer)
* [Level Horizon](https://px4.gitbook.io/px4-user-guide/config/level_horizon_calibration)
* [Airspeed](https://px4.gitbook.io/px4-user-guide/config/airspeed) (Fixed-wing/VTOL only)

> **Note:** Setup for optional sensors and specific hardware is provided in [Flight Controller Peripherals](https://px4.gitbook.io/px4-user-guide/drone_parts/peripherals).

### Manual Control Setup

Radio Control:

* [Radio Controller (RC) Setup](https://px4.gitbook.io/px4-user-guide/config/radio)
* [Flight Mode Configuration](https://px4.gitbook.io/px4-user-guide/config/flight_mode)

Joystick/GamePad:

* [Joystick Setup](https://px4.gitbook.io/px4-user-guide/config/joystick)

### Safety Configuration

* [Battery/Power Module Setup](https://px4.gitbook.io/px4-user-guide/config/battery)
* [Safety Configuration (Failsafes)](https://px4.gitbook.io/px4-user-guide/config/safety)

### Tuning

* [Autotune](https://px4.gitbook.io/px4-user-guide/config/autotune) (Recommended on vehicles and frames that support it)

## Video Guide

The video below shows most of the calibration process (it uses an older version of *QGroundControl*, but most of the process is unchanged).

@[youtube](https://youtu.be/91VGmdSlbo4)

## Support

If you need help with the configuration you can ask for help on the [QGroundControl Support forum](https://discuss.px4.io/c/qgroundcontrol/qgroundcontrol-usage).

## See Also

* [QGroundControl > Setup](https://docs.qgroundcontrol.com/master/en/SetupView/SetupView.html)
* [Flight Controller Peripherals](https://px4.gitbook.io/px4-user-guide/drone_parts/peripherals) - Setup specific sensors, optional sensors, actuators, and so on.
* [Advanced Configuration](https://px4.gitbook.io/px4-user-guide/advanced_config) - Factory/OEM calibration, configuring advanced features, less-common configuration.
* Vehicle-Centric Config/Tuning:
  * [Multicopter Config/Tuning](https://px4.gitbook.io/px4-user-guide/airframes/frames_multicopter/config_mc)
  * [Helicopter Config/Tuning](https://px4.gitbook.io/px4-user-guide/airframes/frames_helicopter/config_heli)
  * [Fixed Wing Config/Tuning](https://px4.gitbook.io/px4-user-guide/airframes/frames_plane/config_fw)
  * [VTOL Config/Tuning](https://px4.gitbook.io/px4-user-guide/airframes/frames_vtol/config_vtol)


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