Flying 101
Last updated
Last updated
This topic explains the basics of flying a vehicle using an in a manual or autopilot-assisted flight mode (for autonomous flight see: ).
:::note Before you fly for the first time you should read our . :::
Before you can fly the vehicle it must first be . This will power all motors and actuators; on a multicopter it will start propellers turning.
To arm the drone:
First disengage the .
Use the arm command for your vehicle - put the throttle stick in the bottom right corner.
Alternatively configure an .
You can also arm in QGroundControl (PX4 does not require a radio control for flying autonomously).
:::tip The vehicle will not arm until it is and has a position lock. (including on-vehicle LEDs, audio notifications and QGroundControl updates) can tell you when the vehicle is ready to fly (and help you work out the cause when it is not ready to fly). :::
:::note The vehicle will (by ) automatically (turn off motors) if you take too long to take off! This is a safety measure to ensure that vehicles return to a safe state when not in use. :::
:::note A VTOL vehicle can only arm in multicopter mode (by default - arming in fixed-wing mode can be enabled using ). :::
The easiest way to takeoff (after ) is to use the automatic . Usually this is triggered from an or ground station.
Multicopter (and VTOL in multicopter mode) pilots can take off manually by enabling , arming the vehicle, and then raising the throttle stick above 62.5%. Above this value all controllers are enabled and the vehicle goes to the throttle level required for hovering ().
:::tip The automatic takeoff mode is highly recommended, in particular for Fixed Wing vehicles! :::
For multicopter (and VTOL in multicopter mode) pilots can land manually by pressing the throttle stick down until the vehicle lands and disarms.
Note that vehicles automatically disarm on landing by default:
Manually disarm by putting the throttle stick in the bottom left corner.
:::tip Automatic landing is highly recommended, in particular for Fixed Wing vehicles. :::
All flying, including takeoff and landing, is controlled using the 4 basic commands: roll, yaw, pitch and throttle.
In order to control your aircraft you need to understand how the basic Roll, Pitch, Yaw and Throttle commands affect movement in 3D space. This differs depending on whether you're controlling a forward-flying aircraft like a plane, or a "hover aircraft" like a multicopter.
Hover aircraft (Copter, VTOL in hover mode) respond to the movement commands as shown below:
Pitch => Forward/back.
Roll => Left/right.
Yaw => Left/right rotation around the centre of the frame.
Throttle => Changed altitude/speed.
Forward-flying aircraft (planes, VTOL in forward flight) respond to the movement commands as shown below:
Pitch => Up/down.
Roll => Left/right and a turn.
Yaw => Left/right tail rotation and turn.
Throttle => Changed forward speed.
:::note The best turn for airplanes is called a coordinated turn, and is performed using roll and little yaw at the same time. This maneuver requires experience! :::
The following three modes are highly recommended for new users:
Stabilized - Vehicle hard to flip, and will level-out if the sticks are released (but not hold position)
Altitude - Climb and drop are controlled to have a maximum rate.
Position - When sticks are released the vehicle will stop (and hold position against wind drift)
:::note You can also access automatic modes through the buttons on the bottom of the QGroundControl main flight screen. :::
:::note The vehicle may disarm if you take too long to take off after arming (tune the timeout using ). :::
:::note The will automatically stop the engines if there is a problem on takeoff. :::
The easiest way to land is to use the automatic or modes.
Use to set the time to auto-disarm after landing (or disable it altogether).
:::note If you see the vehicle "twitch" during landing (turn down the motors, and then immediately turn them back up) this is probably caused by a poor (specifically, a poorly set ). :::
Even with an understanding of how the vehicle is controlled, flight in fully manual mode can be quite unforgiving. New users should to use flight modes where the autopilot automatically compensates for erratic user input or environmental factors.
