LitterBug's dRonin / iNav / Aura5 / ArduPilot / *Flight FC enabled Wingy Thingys

[LitterBug]

@Merv introduced me to a super little micro FC the FlyinRC F4 wing Mini controller that has a HDFPV connector and even comes with ArduPilot on it. This thing looks PERFECT for my HD FPV Nano Goblin build. I have been planning all along for this build on using a SpeedyBee F405 Wing Mini, but it always seemed like overkill for the super basic setup needed for the Nano Goblin. Previously I had though about using the Omnibus F405 Nano V6, but it comes up short on the Serial port side. I could either do OSD or GPS, but something had to be sacrificed. Then came the FlyinRC FC. PERFECT. Mine showed up today, and as always, when I get something new that I haven't used before, I find out what firmware and settings it came with so it can always be put back exactly like it was from the manufacturer.

Knowing it came with Ardupilot, I hooked it to my PC, fired up Mission planner, and looked at the log file:
3/29/2026 1:25:54 PM : IMU0: normal sampling 1.0kHz/1.0kHz
3/29/2026 1:25:54 PM : RCOut: Initialising
3/29/2026 1:25:54 PM : MatekF405-TE 001C003B 33354715 35323532
3/29/2026 1:25:54 PM : ChibiOS: 88b84600
3/29/2026 1:25:54 PM : ArduPlane V4.6.3 (3fc7011a)
3/29/2026 1:25:52 PM : Initialising ArduPilot
3/29/2026 1:25:52 PM : Beginning INS calibration. Do not move plane

Then saved the config to a safe place where I could go back to it if needed.

So, it is a Clone of the Matek F405-TE, and running the latest stable release of Ardupilot: V4.6.3

MUCH smaller than the SpeedyBee. It's just a single board. Nothing complex. Will use the ESC BEC to power it, and the FPV will be powered directly from the battery.



Cheers!
LitterBug

 

[Houndpup Rc]

@Merv introduced me to a super little micro FC the FlyinRC F4 wing Mini controller that has a HDFPV connector and even comes with ArduPilot on it. This thing looks PERFECT for my HD FPV Nano Goblin build. I have been planning all along for this build on using a SpeedyBee F405 Wing Mini, but it always seemed like overkill for the super basic setup needed for the Nano Goblin. Previously I had though about using the Omnibus F405 Nano V6, but it comes up short on the Serial port side. I could either do OSD or GPS, but something had to be sacrificed. Then came the FlyinRC FC. PERFECT. Mine showed up today, and as always, when I get something new that I haven't used before, I find out what firmware and settings it came with so it can always be put back exactly like it was from the manufacturer.

Knowing it came with Ardupilot, I hooked it to my PC, fired up Mission planner, and looked at the log file:
3/29/2026 1:25:54 PM : IMU0: normal sampling 1.0kHz/1.0kHz
3/29/2026 1:25:54 PM : RCOut: Initialising
3/29/2026 1:25:54 PM : MatekF405-TE 001C003B 33354715 35323532
3/29/2026 1:25:54 PM : ChibiOS: 88b84600
3/29/2026 1:25:54 PM : ArduPlane V4.6.3 (3fc7011a)
3/29/2026 1:25:52 PM : Initialising ArduPilot
3/29/2026 1:25:52 PM : Beginning INS calibration. Do not move plane

Then saved the config to a safe place where I could go back to it if needed.

So, it is a Clone of the Matek F405-TE, and running the latest stable release of Ardupilot: V4.6.3
View attachment 257298
MUCH smaller than the SpeedyBee. It's just a single board. Nothing complex. Will use the ESC BEC to power it, and the FPV will be powered directly from the battery.



Cheers!
LitterBug

hey, i have seen those boards for like 20bucks on Amazon and Aliexpress! Was thinking of getting one but it didn't have enough Uarts...

 

[LitterBug]

hey, i have seen those boards for like 20bucks on Amazon and Aliexpress! Was thinking of getting one but it didn't have enough Uarts...

It has 3 FULL uarts which is perfect for me. R1/T1 ELRS, R5/T5 GPS (with mag if wanted), and the HDFPV port has a full R4/T4 UART, and there is a .5 for SBUS

There is NO Analog OSD, which I don't need for this build.

 

[Houndpup Rc]

It has 3 FULL uarts which is perfect for me. R1/T1 ELRS, R5/T5 GPS (with mag if wanted), and the HDFPV port has a full UART, and there is a .5 for SBUS

Yeah, it looks like a pretty nice FC for a small build!👍

 

[tomlogan1]

Litterbug I found one on eBay for 23 and dug this up on the web somewhere. Might be fun to play with it.... Gotta find out what all thos acronyms mean

 

[LitterBug]

Litterbug ound one on eBay for 23 and dug this up on the web somewhere. Might be fun to play with it....

I got this one for $19 with shipping/fees/everything from AliExpress. Was a special anniversary deal.

 

[tomlogan1]

The marketing guide has some good information.

 

[LitterBug]

Litterbug I found one on eBay for 23 and dug this up on the web somewhere. Might be fun to play with it.... Gotta find out what all thos acronyms mean

Thanks for that @tomlogan1, That has some really good info including this pic which shows the top and bottom. I had it all figured out already, but this is perfect for someone who hasn't looked at the board yet.

Cheers!
LB

 

[LitterBug]

Oh Nice, The document had some info I was missing on the Timer Groups/pwm and LED strip that I had not found also. So ports 1/2 for BDshot/Motors and 3-6 for Servos, 12 for PWM or LED strip if so desired.

And More Serial Port info as well.

 

[tomlogan1]

Make FlyingRC F4wing Mini an official target · Issue #11009 · iNavFlight/inav

Hi All, I recently got me 2 FlyingRC f4wing Mini FC's The issue is this board does lack documentation/pinouts (actually everything... ;) ) But ist has a great price point! For now I found these thi...

github.com

 

[LitterBug]

Make FlyingRC F4wing Mini an official target · Issue #11009 · iNavFlight/inav

Hi All, I recently got me 2 FlyingRC f4wing Mini FC's The issue is this board does lack documentation/pinouts (actually everything... ;) ) But ist has a great price point! For now I found these thi...

github.com

Thank you @tomlogan1. @Merv and I found that one too. He was trying to get it to work with INAV. good to have it linked here for others to see too!

 

[tomlogan1]

Thank you @tomlogan1. @Merv and I found that one too. He was trying to get it to work with INAV. good to have it linked here for others to see too!

I flashed it with INAV 8 just to see if it would complete. It has not been assembled but the flash completed, INAV boots and settings entered are retained.

 

[LitterBug]

I flashed it with INAV 8 just to see if it would complete. It has not been assembled but the flash completed, INAV boots and settings entered are retained.

I soldered mine up today and will stay with ArduPilot. Had some spare Red/Black pins from other projects and color coded the power on the UARTs. Gotta get my Nano Goblins in the air. I have 3, and none are ready to fly. I've owned 4 now
#1) is dead after a HIGH IMPACT failure to pull out of a high speed dive when BOTH of the control horns broke loose at FF '24 BOOM!
#2) Needs minor rework and will get the FC that was in #1 and the ZOHD Drift. it will be INAV. Can do analog or Digital FPV/ LOS
#3) is a complete scratch kit build with the Motor/ESC from #1. Just needs servos Centered/glued, the FlyingRC, and Already has Walksnail HD Pro gear ready for it. Still trying to figure out where to mount the VTX....
#4) picked up used for $50. Needs a little Foam-Tac on the vert stabs and rear spar. Will be LOS with the FT Aura 5 from #2

I have some 2S 21700 packs to play with. Curious to see what kind of flight time I get going from 2700/2900mah 18650 packs to 5000mah 21700.

 

[tomlogan1]

Mine came with multiple personalities 😱

 

[Merv]

I found the manual in English for the FlyingRc F4wing mini & posted it here

FlyingRC F4Wing Mini MK1 - A cheap flight controller

I saw this small FC on AliExpress for less than $20 and decided it was worth a try. It's can run Betalight, Inav & Ardupilot, attached is a manual. I'm running Inav using this target inav_9.0.1_FLYINGRCF4WINGMINI_NOT_RECOMMENDED. I hope to put it in the air as soon as weather permits. I am new...

forum.flitetest.com

 

[LitterBug]

Been playing with the FlyingRC F4Wing Mini and Ardupilot to get it all working and tested BEFORE installing it in the NanoGoblin. Was trying to use a RadioMaster XR1 Dual Band serial RX in 2400mhz mode, and it just would not connect no matter what I did. The XR1 originally came with ELRS 3.5.2, so I figured installing 3.5.5 like I had on everything else would work.... BZZZZTTTT No can do. The LR1121 chipset support in ELRS was still in development and the 3.5.2 installed was a non-standard compilation. The LR1121 radio chip support was officially added in 3.6.0 and later. After looking through the release notes and available releases, I put 3.6.3 on and poof..... it works. The RX and GPS are now working, Just need to plug in the walksnail gear, get my OSD configured, then it should be ready to drop in the bird.

 

[Tree Feeder]

Cool! Are you using mavlink over ELRS for GCS connectivity?

 

[LitterBug]

Cool! Are you using mavlink over ELRS for GCS connectivity?

No, Just plugging in to the USB port. I have full telemetry back to my TX over ELRS. I use the Yappu Lua script on my radios which gives good audio shout outs and a good graphical layout.

On my Stratosurfer I have a Bluetooth dongle on a serial port for GCS too, but now with all the new options, I may redo that.

 

[Tree Feeder]

Take a look at Drone Bridge. I am using two esp32s with the espnow mode and I haven't had any issues so far. It definitely doesn't have as much range as a sik radio or something, but it is enough for small autonomous flights and definitely has enough range for what you are doing. You can also run them in different wifi modes so you can get away with only one. Most esp32s will work (check the website) but any of the seeed studio xiao series that uses an esp32 would work well since they are so tiny. I am using their esp32-c6 model.

 

[LitterBug]

Take a look at Drone Bridge. I am using two esp32s with the espnow mode and I haven't had any issues so far. It definitely doesn't have as much range as a sik radio or something, but it is enough for small autonomous flights and definitely has enough range for what you are doing. You can also run them in different wifi modes so you can get away with only one. Most esp32s will work (check the website) but any of the seeed studio xiao series that uses an esp32 would work well since they are so tiny. I am using their esp32-c6 model.

I really don't do much autonomous. Mostly FPV. I prefer the way Ardupilot flies/feels compared to INAV. The reliability and feature set are tough to match.