QUICKSTART.md

Quick start guide

Do you need this software at all?

1. Install ArduPilot Methodic Configurator software on a PC or Mac

1. Download and install ArduPilot Methodic Configurator software.

2. Install Mission Planner software on a PC or Mac

1. Download and install Mission Planner.
2. Make sure to install all the recommended device drivers when asked to.

3. Install ArduPilot firmware on the flight controller

1. Connect the flight controller to the computer using a USB cable.
2. Open Mission Planner software.
3. Go to SETUP > Install Firmware select your vehicle type and install version 4.3.8 or newer of the ArduPilot firmware onto the flight controller.
4. Wait until the firmware download is complete.
5. Disconnect the USB cable from the flight controller.

4. Use the ArduPilot Methodic Configurator software for the first time

1. Connect the flight controller to the computer using a USB cable.
2. Wait at least 7 seconds.
3. Open the ArduPilot Methodic Configurator software.
4. The software should now automatically detect and connect to your flight controller.
5. Select the vehicle template that better resembles your vehicle.
6. Give a name to your vehicle.
7. Press Create vehicle configuration from template.
8. Edit all the components of your vehicle to match your own in the Vehicle Component Editor window.
9. Press Save data and start configuration.
10. The application will validate your input. If issues are found the problematic fields' background will be marked in red color. Correct those entries and press the Save data and start configuration button again.
11. You should now see the Parameter file editor and uploader window.

If something is not clear, read the ArduPilot Methodic Configurator user manual

5. Configure the vehicle's parameters in a traceable way

The following simple loop is presented as welcome instructions:

Now do this in a loop until the software automatically closes or you are asked to close the software:

• Read all the documentation links displayed at the top of the GUI (marked with the big red number 4),
• Edit the parameter's New value and Reason changed fields to match your vehicle (marked with the big red number 5),
  • The Reason changed field is extremely important because:
    • if forces you to think, causing rational decisions instead of impulsive ones
    • justifies your decisions on a vehicle certification process required in most countries
    • allows for someone else to see if you know what you are doing
    • allows for someone else (or yourself after a few weeks) to understand your rationale
• Press Del and/or Add buttons to delete or add parameters respectively (marked with the big red number 5),
• Press Upload selected params to FC, and advance to next param file (marked with the big red number 7),
• Repeat from the top until the program automatically closes.

6. Use the ArduPilot Methodic Configurator software after having created a vehicle from template

1. Connect the flight controller to the computer using a USB cable.
2. Wait at least 7 seconds.
3. Open the ArduPilot Methodic Configurator software.
4. The software should now automatically detect and connect to your flight controller.
5. Open the vehicle configuration directory that you created in the Use the ArduPilot Methodic Configurator software for the first time. double-click and step inside the directory that you want to use, not just select it
6. Edit all the components of your vehicle to match your own.
7. Press Save data and start configuration.
8. You should now see the Parameter file editor and uploader window.
9. Proceed as explained in section 5

Congratulations your flight controller is now fully configured in the safest and fastest way publicly known.

There is also documentation on other use cases.