So as we all know RaceFlight sounds like it's going to be the next big thing. but there's not much info about it. and since i loved the HyperLite frame so much, i decided to build another one using the new RaceFlight Revolt flight controller. i'm going to use this post as a build log and try to add as much detail about build and set up process, answering any questions along the way. hopefully finishing with a successful maiden and flight video. 

PyroDrone HyperLite Frame
RaceFlight Revolt flight controller
HyperLite 2206-2450KV Team Edition motors
DYS XS30A BLHeli_S ESCs
La Forge VTX
RunCam Eagle FPV Camera
Matek Mini Power Hub w/ 5v & 12v bec

I would love to see some guide on setup process I am tempted to get into it too but still trying to figure out what FC i want to go for... And I need to find some time read up on the latest of RF too...
I learned my lesson from F3 FC's... I literally have 1 F3 FC from each brand, and every time I try to rebuild/reconfigure, it becomes a massive pain in the ...
I will try to stick with one board on all my builds in future lol

i know what you mean Oscar. i like to normally stick to what works for me also. but my curiosity is getting the best of me. i wouldn't mind using this post as a set up guide on the RaceFlight also. hopefully it'll help some people out.

So let's start with the frame. it's a fairly simple design that consist of the front and back arms a bottom plate which has a hole so you can zip tie your XT60 connector. a middle plate with a mounting hole for a sma connector for your vtx. which means if your vtx doesn't have a pigtail then you are going to have to add one. a top plate, stand offs and hardware. there's a 3D printed camera mount that's not in the picture but i will post a pic of it later. which by the way was disigned and printed by our very own Trollhammered.

Cool, I've seen you roaming on raceflight slack today. I'm really interested to see your thoughts and read on experience with the revolt since only this board target seems to be updated until rf1 is released.

ok now let's start mounting stuff. PDB check


a good way to check your motor mounting screw is to push it through one of the holes and hold a motor up next to it. if the screw goes pass the bottom section of the motor then more then likely it's to long and is going to hit the stator coils. 


now that i have all the motors mounted, let's tie down the ESCs. i know it looks like a hot mess
but trust i clean up nicely. this way i know exactly how short i need to trim all my wires.


so now that i have all my wires cleaned up, and my motors and ESCs soldered. i'm going to move on to the wiring for my FPV electronics and flight controller. 

but before i move on to that i have to flash, and set up my ESCs using another FC since the RaceFlight Revolt does not support BLHeli pass through. 

i started another thread about the Revolt here
http://intofpv.com/t-raceflight-revolt-f...controller

Looking good
What AWG wire are you using for the XT60 connector? looks a bit thin from the picture. (and possibly a bit too long for my taste lol )

(04-Nov-2016, 02:28 PM)Oscar Wrote: Looking good
What AWG wire are you using for the XT60 connector? looks a bit thin from the picture. (and possibly a bit too long for my taste lol )

it's 16awg. i know i should go to about 14 but it's all i have on hand. the reason why it's so long is because the way this frame is the connector is routed to the front of the frame where there is a mounting hole for it. i could turn the pdb around and shorten the wires but then it would be in the way of the fpv camera.

ok so i'm done with the build. i was able to get up in the air today, after having to deal with video issues out in the field.

Raceflight is nothing like Betaflight. it takes a little of experience and some knowledge of quads and set up. unlike Betaflight where you can pretty much fly with the default PIDs, you're going to have to spend some time tuning with RaceFlight. but with that said, RaceFlight flight characteristics are very smooth. throttle has a extreamly smooth resolution. i only spent a little time tuning today, just enough to get flying, which i would say about 60-70 percent tuned. but i'm sure once i get this dialed in it's going to rip.

Quote:Raceflight is nothing like Betaflight. it takes a little of experience and some knowledge of quads and set up. unlike Betaflight where you can pretty much fly with the default PIDs, you're going to have to spend some time tuning with RaceFlight. but with that said, RaceFlight flight characteristics are very smooth. throttle has a extreamly smooth resolution. i only spent a little time tuning today, just enough to get flying, which i would say about 60-70 percent tuned. but i'm sure once i get this dialed in it's going to rip.

Exactly my experience - beginning with RF is tougher, mostly because it's not lazy mode like BF   But when you make it able to fly, even an untuned quad feels different. I would describe it as "more in control", closer to being locked in - at least I had no random glitches or very slight changes in direction that I experienced in not tuned betaflight.

Great you finished your build Jimmy, I don't have so much time currently to follow Slack, I'll probably drop you a question from time to time

Regarding raceflight, i've only read about some special flight modes like skitzo mode, pro-smooth etc., are you planning on testing any of those?

(06-Nov-2016, 03:18 PM)fftunes Wrote: Regarding raceflight, i've only read about some special flight modes like skitzo mode, pro-smooth etc., are you planning on testing any of those?

yes fftunes i will try the different modes once i get my quad dialed in a little better

here is a flight video with this quad. all default settings. except i raised my rates by about 15%. lowered my P gains on roll and pitch by about 20%, and yaw by about 30%, because i was getting oscillations at low throttle. i would say the quad is about 65-75% tuned. 

Jimmy so what are your feeling on the raceflight? do you feel the magic ?

(08-Nov-2016, 10:56 AM)Grisha0 Wrote: Jimmy so what are your feeling on the raceflight? do you feel the magic ?

Grisha0, the sticks definitely feel a lot smoother. throttle response is on the money. even though the quad isn't even closed to being fine tuned it still feels better then my dialed in KISS set up on my QAV-X. but the set up is not as easy as in BF. there's a lot of custom settings that i'm still trying to learn about. so if you dont mind experimenting, reading, and spending a lot of time on the RaceFlight slack page. then i would say go for it. but if not then i would wait for the RF1 firmware to be
released, before changing. but i'm liking it so far.