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ESPFlight Docs v1
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Quick Start

Build and validate an ESPFlight v1 drone from hardware review to first controlled flight.

ESPFlight Docs · v1 • Validated v1 documentation path

# Before you begin

BEFORE YOU START

Use Firmware v1.0.0, Hardware Reference v1.0, Application v1.0.0, and Protocol 2 together. Keep propellers removed until the preflight stage.

# Build path

  1. 1

    Prepare parts and tools

    Start with the v1 requirements page. Confirm the Hardware Reference electronics, manual modules, user-selected airframe parts, required tools, Android phone, and computer before assembly.

    Open What You Need
  2. 2

    Assemble and inspect the hardware

    Review the Hardware Reference and assemble the board or your compatible variant. Check soldering, shorts, polarity, installed modules, motor wiring, and mechanical security before power is applied.

    Open Assembly guide
  3. 3

    Configure and flash firmware

    Use the beginner flashing guide to install the pinned ESP8266 toolchain, set Wi-Fi credentials in config.h, select the validated board and 160 MHz baseline, compile, and upload Firmware v1.0.0.

    Open flashing guide
  4. 4

    Verify first boot and gyro calibration

    Keep the board completely still during the automatic gyro calibration, watch the 115200-baud Serial Monitor for the documented MPU6050 and setup messages, and continue only after Setup completed. appears.

    Verify first boot
  5. 5

    Install the application

    Install the official v1.0.0 Android APK from the ESPFlight release channel.

    Install the app
  6. 6

    Connect on trusted Wi-Fi

    Put the phone and controller on the same private local network and confirm discovery plus live connection state.

    Open connection guide
  7. 7

    Bench-test without propellers

    Verify IMU direction, motor order, motor direction, ARM/DISARM, telemetry, low-throttle motor-off behavior, and link-loss behavior.

    Open bench-test checklist
  8. 8

    Complete preflight

    Only after bench validation passes, install the correct propellers and repeat the mechanical and control checklist.

    Open preflight checklist
  9. 9

    First controlled flight

    Move to an open low-risk area, start conservatively, keep the first hover brief, and land immediately if behavior is unexpected.

    Open first-flight guide
  10. 10

    Review and continue

    Inspect the build after the first flight, then continue to flight modes, tuning, concepts, or developer documentation.

    Choose your next path

# Expected result

EXPECTED RESULT

At the end of this guide the Drone should have a validated hardware build, Firmware v1.0.0 running, Application v1.0.0 connected, propeller-off checks passed, and a controlled first-flight baseline.

Protocol 2 v1 security boundary Keep the controller and phone on a private trusted local Wi-Fi network. Protocol 2 v1 does not provide encrypted transport or cryptographic client authentication against a hostile client on the same network; an untrusted public/shared network is not appropriate for flight control.