Pilot:
Andre Larsen

tuning

Your quad is controlled by what is known as a “PID loop”. As we are doing flips and rolls we are changing the “Command” (what we know as the “Setpoint” in the quad world [a.k.a. the sticks]), causing the PID loop to react. The goal of PID tuning is to tweak the PID loop Gains so that it achieves the fastest response to command changes as possible, without overshooting/oscillating. These Principles apply for ALL PID CONTROLLERS!  ANY flight firmware and ANY quad copter class. The guide and videos focus on Betaflight because it is the most widely used firmware in the industry for freestyle and racing. But the same principles apply to: FalcoX, KISS, iNAV, Cleanflight, EmuFlight, Baseflight, etc. They all use a PID controller!

Tuning Guide for PID Tuning Principles:  PID Tuning Principles (applied to quadcopters)

Before going down the tuning rabbit hole, maybe start with a preset!

A good place to start is applying a preset in either Betaflight or INAV.  From there, understanding the below will give you further insight on how to optimize the settings further.

OK, you want to know more?
The facts you need to know!!

Don't belive it? Check out this proof!

Understanding the above, check out the my #1 Way Series to address common quad copter flight performance issues:

... understanding oscillations:

The below videos are shorts on how to apply PID tuning principles with the Betaflight tuning sliders.  It only takes a couple packs!

Quad Copters

Fixed Wing

A step-by-step on the PID Tuning Principles in practice.  The below videos follow along with the guide PID Tuning Principles (applied to quadcopters).

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Reviewing the above, are you ready to take your quadcopter tune to the next level!!  Check out the below videos on a filter setup strategy for Betaflight that have proven to be very successful for many pilots to minimize delay; enabling a well tuned PID loop to do it’s magic.

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It seems that one of the hardest quad classes folks struggle with is 6″+ quadcopters.  In the below videos we exclusively focus on the BIG guys from 7″ to 10″ octocopters.

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Whoop Tune TIPS for IGOW4!

Whoop Tune TIPS for IGOW4!

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Finding your “Flutter” point for Optimal Performance

Finding your “Flutter” point for Optimal Performance

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10″ Quad Tuning — Impacts of ESC PWM Frequency

10″ Quad Tuning — Impacts of ESC PWM Frequency

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Shakes and Jello | Props Matter!

Shakes and Jello | Props Matter!

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How to Troubleshoot Shakes and Jello

How to Troubleshoot Shakes and Jello

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Betaflight RC Smoothing DEEP DIVE

Betaflight RC Smoothing DEEP DIVE

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Tuning by EAR  |  w/ FETTEC

Tuning by EAR | w/ FETTEC

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UNDERSTANDING FeedForward OPTIMIZATION Settings

UNDERSTANDING FeedForward OPTIMIZATION Settings

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Peak Performance Whoop Settings

Peak Performance Whoop Settings

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Betaflight 4.3 Whoop Tuning Tips

Betaflight 4.3 Whoop Tuning Tips

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How to find the OPTIMAL Stick Response | FeedForward

How to find the OPTIMAL Stick Response | FeedForward

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How to i-Term Tune Bounceback

How to i-Term Tune Bounceback

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Betaflight 4.3 | RPM vs Dynamic Notch | Analysis

Betaflight 4.3 | RPM vs Dynamic Notch | Analysis

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D -> P-> i  Relationship | THE PROOF!

D -> P-> i Relationship | THE PROOF!

These are some great runs by Tim Heebs on how P:D balance is just a scientific fact, and that when you find your quads P:D balance, you can move the gains up (or down) and the response will remain the same. Then for PEAK FLIGHT PERFORMANCE, you move the gains up to the D-Max, which […]

How to Crush Nose Bobble (“Throbbles”)

How to Crush Nose Bobble (“Throbbles”)

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How to Reduce the last 20% of your Prop Wash

How to Reduce the last 20% of your Prop Wash

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Betaflight 4.3 – Best NEW Dynamic Notch Settings

Betaflight 4.3 – Best NEW Dynamic Notch Settings

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Feedforward Optimizations with GREAT Receiver Data

Feedforward Optimizations with GREAT Receiver Data

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Advanced Quad Tuning  |  The Last 10%!

Advanced Quad Tuning | The Last 10%!

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How-To: Tune i-Term

How-To: Tune i-Term

In this video we talk about two (2) negative flight characteristic to look for that are related to i-Term (“slow” oscillations and “slow” bounceback).  Then we talk about how to adjust i-Term gains – move up or down – to make them better, or even hopefully, completely tune them out. In my last video, we […]