Getting Started With Your New Drone

Assemble the Frame

Attach the 4 aluminum standoff spacers to the frame using provided screws and nuts.

• Leave the top plate off for now, you’ll have to install more components before adding that.

Install the ESC

Mount the SpeedyBee FC + ESC stack onto the frame, ensuring proper alignment, spacing, and secure connections.

• Place the ESC on the center mounting holes of the frame and insert the provided stack screws.
• Install the included plastic nuts on top of the ESC to isolate the flight controller from vibrations.
• Do not add the flight controller module yet, as we need access to the ESC to wire the motors to it.

Motor Preparation

Get your motors ready and securely attach them to the frame using the included aluminum mounts.

• Carefully trim off the bullet connectors from the motor wires using wire cutters
• Align each motor with the aluminum mounting base (stand) and attach it using 4 screws through the bottom of the stand into the motor base.
• Make sure all screws are snug but not over-tightened to avoid damaging the motor threads.

Motor Wiring & Extension

Extend your motor wires to reach the ESC pads by soldering additional wire and insulating with heat shrink for a clean and safe connection.

Tip: If you're new to soldering, practice on spare wire first to avoid lifting pads. Always use a clean, tinned tip and avoid holding heat for too long on the board.

• Measure and cut the included wire to the proper length for each motor, allowing enough slack to comfortably reach the ESC pads without tension.
• Strip a small section of insulation off both the motor wires and the extension wires.
• Twist and tin both ends with solder, then join them together using a clean solder joint.
• Slide a piece of heat shrink tubing over each joint before soldering, then move it into place and apply heat to shrink it snugly around the connection.
• Repeat for all three wires on each motor. Ensure consistent wire routing and avoid crossing wires excessively to keep your build neat.

Installing XT60 Connector & Capacitor

Before mounting or wiring your ESC, connect the XT60 battery lead and the included capacitor to the ESC’s main power pads.

Tip: Make sure to double check the polarity of the xt60 connector and the ESC that they match

Tip: Keep the XT60 lead short but long enough to clear the frame comfortably. Route it to where your battery will mount later.

• Locate the large pads on the ESC marked “+” and “–” for battery input.
• Use a high-wattage soldering iron (at least 60W) with a clean, tinned tip to handle the thicker wires.
• Tin both pads on the ESC with a generous amount of solder to prepare them for the power wires.
• Pre-tin the wires from the XT60 pigtail (included) — red to positive, black to negative.
• Solder the wires to the ESC, applying firm pressure and heat until the solder flows and creates a solid joint. Allow to cool before moving.
• Next, solder the capacitor: its legs are usually not marked, but polarity matters — the striped leg goes to the negative (–) pad.
• Mount the capacitor securely to the frame using zip ties or double-sided foam tape to avoid vibrations or strain on the solder joints.
• Inspect for clean joints and ensure there is no solder bridge between the power pads.

Mounting Motors to the Frame

Secure the motors to the drone arms using the included screws and aluminum stands.

• Place each motor (already attached to its aluminum stand) onto the designated arm of the drone frame.
• Align the mounting holes on the stand with the frame’s motor arm holes.
• Insert and tighten the screws from the bottom of the frame into the stand — use all provided screws (typically 4 per motor) for maximum stability.
• Ensure each motor is mounted firmly and level; loose or misaligned motors can cause vibration and flight issues.
• Double-check motor positions to match the correct layout (motors 1–4 in Betaflight) before wiring.

Wiring Motors to the ESC

Carefully solder each motor’s wires to the ESC pads, following correct layout and good soldering practices to avoid damage.

• Identify the three ESC pads assigned to each motor. Most ESCs will label or group them by motor number.
• Trim your motor wires to reach their respective pads cleanly — avoid excess slack, but don’t stretch them tight.
• Strip a small portion of insulation (2–3 mm) off each motor wire and tin the exposed tips with solder.
• Also pre-tin each ESC pad — apply a small amount of solder so it flows and coats the pad surface.
• Hold the tinned wire onto the pad and briefly apply heat with the soldering iron until the solder flows and connects. Remove heat and let it cool.
• Repeat for all three wires per motor. Wire order does not matter initially — motor direction can be fixed later in software (Betaflight).
• After all motors are soldered, visually inspect each joint for solid connections — no cold joints, bridging, or exposed strands.
• Secure the wires to the arms with zip ties to prevent them from moving or pulling during flight.

Installing the Receiver

The receiver connects your transmitter (controller) to the drone, allowing real-time control inputs.

• Identify your receiver type (SBUS, CRSF, etc.) and locate the correct UART or receiver port on the flight controller.
• Solder the receiver’s signal, power (5V), and ground wires to the corresponding pads on the flight controller.
• Secure the receiver to the frame using double-sided tape or zip ties, keeping it away from high-power components to reduce interference.
• Route and mount the receiver antennas at a 90° angle to each other for optimal signal strength — use zip ties and heat shrink to hold them in place.
• Make sure the receiver is bound to your radio before first flight — binding instructions vary by brand (FrSky, ELRS, etc.).

Installing the GPS Module

The GPS module provides satellite positioning and optional return-to-home features for added safety and advanced navigation.

• Locate a clean, elevated spot on the rear of the drone frame to mount the GPS — ideally away from power wires and electronics.
• Connect the GPS wiring: typically 4 wires (TX, RX, 5V, GND) which connect to a spare UART on the flight controller.
• Ensure TX from GPS goes to RX on the FC, and RX to TX. Double-check pin labels to avoid reversal.
• Secure the GPS using double-sided foam tape or a 3D-printed stand. Elevate it if possible to improve satellite lock.
• Once powered, let the GPS sit outside for a few minutes to acquire satellites — you’ll confirm it's working in Betaflight later.

Installing the FPV Camera

The FPV camera gives you real-time video feed for piloting and capturing aerial footage.

• Mount the camera into the front of the frame using the included brackets or screws. Align it level or angled slightly upward for better field of view in flight.
• Connect the camera's wiring to the flight controller or video transmitter (VTX), depending on your setup. Typically, you’ll connect video signal (VID), 5V power, and ground (GND).
• Double-check voltage requirements — many cameras take 5V, but some require 9V or VBAT.
• Secure any loose wiring with zip ties and ensure the camera is firmly mounted to avoid shaking during flight.
• Power on the system to verify image quality and field of view — adjust tilt if needed before closing the build.