Map before you calibrate
Calibration belongs to the physical axes assigned to throttle, yaw, pitch and roll. First confirm that each channel follows the intended stick independently. The setup wizard can learn available analog channels or paired digital directions. Buttons and keys do not have analog travel to measure.
These instructions cover the Universal Controller update. Keep the simulated aircraft grounded and disarmed while editing controls.
Choose the throttle's mechanics
Enable the throttle-centering option for a stick that returns to rest on its own. Leave it off for a ratcheted RC throttle that stays where you put it.
Self-centering axes retain the measured rest position, even when it is slightly off the mathematical midpoint. A non-centering throttle uses the midpoint of its measured endpoints for assisted and 3D neutral. Manual collective uses the full measured travel from motor-off to maximum. A physical midpoint is not automatically hover in a manual flight mode.
Run the two measurement stages
- Start calibration and hold spring-centering controls at rest during the 3-second rest stage. Do not press flight actions.
- During the 7-second travel stage, move every mapped analog flight axis slowly through both endpoints. Sweep throttle too, including its full low and high positions.
- Let calibration finish. Inspect raw values and calibrated values, then move through the travel again at several intermediate positions.
Each mapped analog flight channel must show at least 0.1 normalized travel during measurement. An unmoving mapped axis prevents the new calibration from being accepted. Back/cancel or insufficient travel restores the previous measurements. If all flight channels are digital, analog calibration is unnecessary.
Read the three diagnostic layers
| Layer | What it tells you |
|---|---|
| Raw | What the backend received before calibration; useful for finding an axis and checking its actual travel |
| Calibrated / normalized | Travel and neutral after endpoint and center correction |
| Output | The resulting flight command after the active mode and response settings |
Compare one channel at a time. A centered raw value does not always have to be exactly zero; calibrated output should be neutral within the chosen dead zone. The manual throttle output uses −1 for motor-off, whereas assisted and active 3D throttle use zero as their neutral command.
Correct direction with inversion
If the intended command moves the wrong way, invert that channel and verify it again. Check the radio's model configuration too: two inversions can cancel each other and become confusing when switching models. Map and measure first, then save a clear baseline.
Set the smallest useful dead zone
Release yaw, pitch and roll and watch for drift. Increase each channel's dead zone only enough to stop unintended input at rest. A large dead zone hides more stick travel and can make the first intentional movement feel abrupt.
Dead-zone, sensitivity and curve controls are per channel. Changing them invalidates active-controller ownership, so you must return to safe inputs and activate again. Do not try to compensate for the wrong axis binding with a large dead zone.
Tune sensitivity and response curves
Sensitivity adjusts the amount of response. The curve/expo setting can soften small movements while retaining a stronger response toward the ends. Change one setting, inspect the output, and compare a simple simulator maneuver before changing another.
Manual throttle uses a unipolar response anchored at motor-off. Assisted vertical control and 3D use a neutral center; 3D also has reverse thrust. These shapes are mode-aware. Use the flight-mode table instead of applying one remembered throttle position to every mode.
Verify and save
At rest, yaw/pitch/roll should show neutral output. Check that the full travel is reachable and that slow sweeps do not produce jumps. Set throttle to the safe position for the current mode, release action switches and activate. Save a named profile after a successful grounded check.
If drift remains in raw input, check the radio's own stick calibration or the device hardware. If raw travel is smooth but output is wrong, review mapping, inversion, centering and response settings. Keep USB/Bluetooth profiles separate when their reported inputs differ.