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Open-source flight · Airframes

Configure the autopilot for the airframe in front of you

A conventional plane, flying wing, and QuadPlane use different controls and emergency plans. Identify the controls, power states, and recovery site before you load parameters.

Open field prepared for a controlled aircraft testCONTROL · POWER · RECOVERY

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Airframe setup

Each airframe needs a different setup and test plan

Choose the airframe type before you assign outputs or import parameters.

Conventional airplane

An airplane with a wing, fuselage, tail, and forward-thrust motor. It must keep moving to produce lift and normally lands on a runway, its belly, a net, or another planned landing area.

Control setup

Aileron, elevator, rudder if fitted, and throttle. Check servo direction, neutral position, travel, linkages, and aircraft balance on the real airframe.

Sensors

Gyros and accelerometers are basic. GPS supports navigation. Airspeed, compass, barometer, and range sensing depend on the mission and stack.

Launch and recovery

Runway, hand, catapult, or assisted launch, with a recovery plan that fits the airframe and site.

Checks before flight

Verify each item on the actual aircraft. A green software status is not enough.

  1. Check 1: Center of gravity matches the airframe plan
  2. Check 2: Every control surface moves in the commanded direction
  3. Check 3: The pilot can recover in manual mode if an assisted mode fails
  4. Check 4: Launch and landing paths are clear and rehearsed
  5. Check 5: Failsafe behavior is tested in simulation before flight

VTOL transition

Treat the transition as a separate phase of flight

The aircraft does not simply switch from one mode to another. Its controls, source of lift, airspeed, altitude, power use, and abort options all change during the transition.

  1. 01

    Hover

    Lift motors hold the aircraft up while the multirotor controller manages pitch, roll, and yaw at low ground speed.

  2. 02

    Acceleration

    Forward thrust builds airspeed while the lift motors and control surfaces work together.

  3. 03

    Forward flight

    The wing provides lift and the control surfaces steer the aircraft. Lift-motor behavior depends on the airframe design.

  4. 04

    Return to hover

    Altitude, wind, and remaining battery power must support deceleration and a stable hover.

Test order

Test hover and fixed-wing flight separately

  1. 01

    Simulation

    Use the exact frame class to rehearse manual flight, assisted modes, transition, abort, return, and loss-of-link behavior.

  2. 02

    Props-off bench

    Confirm sensors, actuator directions, output limits, mode switches, logs, failsafes, and both propulsion power paths.

  3. 03

    Hover tests

    Test takeoff, hover, sideways and forward movement, return, and landing without starting a transition.

  4. 04

    Fixed-wing tests

    Test the airplane controls and recovery plan with the method documented for the flight stack.

  5. 05

    Transition tests

    Add one transition direction and one abort point at a time. Set limits for altitude, wind, battery power, and observer calls.

Reviewed 2026-08-23. This guide does not determine whether an aircraft is safe to fly. A qualified builder must check the exact airframe, hardware, software, operating site, and legal authority.

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