Configure your remote controller

Nowadays the show industry is aligned towards not using a remote controller at all, but you always have the option to set up one for all your drones. Skybrush Live is prepared to be used both with and without a common remote controller.

A remote controller is a feasible backup option for issuing certain fleet-level commands, such as flight mode switches, easy show start, motor or takeoff tests etc. over an independent, safe, reliable, long-distance link between a pilot and all your drones. However, a remote controller — exactly for the same reason --, can be a dangerous tool as well if not used properly.

Flying many drones at the same time is your own risk, be very well prepared to your operation independently of your decision whether you fly with or without a remote controller.

There are several firmware parameters that you need to setup based on whether you use or do not use a common remote controller. For setting up your firmware for RC please refer to the RC configuration section of the Skybrush firmware documentation.

However, there are some details you need to know related to Skybrush Live as well, depending on whether you use an RC system or not.

The SHOW flight mode

Drone shows are only executed in our custom SHOW mode of the Skybrush firmware.

The default behavior of Skybrush Live is that it will never switch flight modes on its own; the operator is responsible for that, so they can always be sure that they are in control. Skybrush Live can switch flight modes on a drone, but only when it is told to do so (e.g., the operator presses a button on the UI). All in all, if you use a remote controller, you can be sure that the flight mode selected on your RC transmitter will be stable on the drones as long as the Live operator or the firmware does not overwrite it for a safety reason.

You can enter SHOW flight mode with the following options:

  • Skybrush firmware can be configured to switch to SHOW mode automatically upon boot and/or show authorization.

  • Skybrush Live can be used to send the mode show console message to individual drones.

  • Skybrush firmware can be setup to allow for switching to SHOW mode from your RC controller.

For more details on this latter option, see the firmware documentation.

Starting the show

Skybrush Live provides two alternatives for starting a drone show. You can predefine an absolute/MIDI time and let the show start automatically, or you can start the show with a remote controller switch manually. For setting up the latter one, see the firmware documentation.