Red, White & Blue Ripper — Drone Only

1. Know your build and equipment

Volador 3-inch; Flywoo F722 / 45A; AOS / RCinPower 1404 4000KV; DJI O4 Pro; RadioMaster RP1; HGLRC Mini M100.

Have the correct flight battery, compatible balance charger, suitable radio and goggles, USB data cable and basic prop tools ready. Check your purchase record for included accessories; a setup guide does not add equipment to a sale.

Confirm cell count, connector polarity, pack dimensions and secure mounting before connecting a battery. The voltage rating printed on a capacitor or ESC is not the complete aircraft's battery rating. Never force a connector or substitute a higher-voltage pack.

2. Inspect and back up before changing settings

1. With the battery disconnected and props removed, inspect carbon, screws, motors, solder joints, antennas, camera mounts, straps and insulation. Stop for damage or exposed conductors.
2. Connect a USB data cable and use a Betaflight App/Configurator compatible with the installed firmware. Record the firmware version and exact flight-controller target.
3. Save a configuration backup, including the CLI diff all output, before making changes. Preserve the builder's tune, ports, receiver and motor settings. Do not paste another drone's dump or update firmware just to begin flying.
4. Record the radio model, ARM switch, flight-mode switches, prop direction and failsafe behavior. If any are unknown, resolve them before flight.

3. Verify radio and video

Use a compatible 2.4GHz ExpressLRS transmitter for the listed ELRS receiver. DJI video and ELRS control are separate links: seeing a picture does not prove that the radio controls the aircraft.

1. Select the correct radio model with ARM off and throttle down. If already bound, keep that working setup.
2. If binding is needed, confirm the receiver model and compatible firmware, then follow the receiver's binding instructions. Do not flash guessed hardware targets.
3. With props removed, verify roll, pitch, yaw and throttle in Betaflight's Receiver tab. Verify ARM and every flight-mode switch in Modes.
4. Activate/update/pair the DJI air unit and compatible goggles only as needed using the correct DJI instructions. Keep a fan blowing across the air unit during bench work.
5. Confirm live video, OSD battery voltage and radio-link data. Stop if either link is missing.

Power-up order: radio → goggles → aircraft. Keep the aircraft still and level during initialization. A USB connection may not power all accessories; use a confirmed correct flight battery only when needed, with props off.

4. Complete props-off bench checks

• Move the real aircraft and confirm the 3D model in Betaflight follows the same motion.
• Verify motor order and actual rotation using the motor test controls, following the software's safety prompts. Keep all propellers removed.
• Match the actual motor direction to the configured props-in/props-out layout. Do not guess direction from propeller color or another build's diagram.
• Verify failsafe behavior with props removed using the procedure for the installed Betaflight version. Understand what happens on radio loss; do not make an in-flight transmitter shutdown your first test.
• Disconnect the battery and USB before fitting each correct CW/CCW propeller. Check that every prop is oriented to produce downward airflow and that fasteners are secure.

5. GPS, flight modes and the first hover

Take the aircraft outdoors with a clear view of the sky and wait for a valid GPS fix and the configured satellite requirement before using GPS features. Confirm the home position and displayed status. GPS Rescue must be configured and safely tested for this aircraft before you rely on it.

GPS hardware does not guarantee position hold, automatic landing or DJI-style return-to-home. Know how your selected flight mode behaves; Acro mode does not automatically level when you release the sticks.

1. Practice takeoff, turning, landing and immediate disarm in a simulator first. Use a suitable open flying area with people and obstacles well clear.
2. Inspect props, secure the correct battery and both leads, select the correct radio model and verify video, control link, OSD and battery voltage.
3. Place the quad level and facing away. Arm only with the area clear. Make a brief, gentle hover and land.
4. Disarm immediately if it flips, oscillates strongly or behaves unexpectedly. Disconnect the battery before inspecting it. Recheck motor order, rotation, prop placement and controller orientation with props removed.
5. After a normal hover, disarm and disconnect the aircraft first, then switch off goggles and radio. Inspect for heat, loose hardware and damage before the next flight.

6. After-flight care and troubleshooting

Let batteries cool before charging. Use the correct chemistry/cell count and the pack maker's charge rate, balance charge under supervision, and use storage charge for packs you will not fly soon. Stop using damaged or swollen packs. Replace damaged propellers instead of bending them back.

• Won't arm: read the exact arming-disable message and correct its cause. Do not bypass checks or raise limits just to make it arm.
• No control: check radio model, receiver power and link status, then receiver channels and the correct port/protocol.
• No video: check air-unit power, cooling, antennas, compatible goggles/device mode and pairing.
• No GPS fix: move outdoors away from obstructions, check power and wiring, and allow acquisition time. A fixed time or satellite count cannot be guaranteed.

For help, note your build name, firmware versions, exact error and what changed. Keep propellers removed while troubleshooting.

Your setup record

Approved battery / connector: __________________________

Radio model / ARM switch / modes: _____________________

Firmware version / backup date: _________________________

Props-in or props-out / failsafe checked: _________________