Firmware & Software Updates

The aircraft’s firmware and its parameter set are part of the aircraft’s configuration baseline — the combination RFD tested is the combination this manual describes. Fly only RFD-approved releases; do not experiment with firmware or parameters (see Maintenance → Do-not-do).

How updates reach you: RFD announces approved releases by email to registered owners, with release notes and, where an update is mandatory, a Service Bulletin with a compliance deadline. Warranty support assumes the aircraft is on an RFD-approved firmware and parameter set.

Before any update

Caution

Remove the propeller(s) before connecting for an update. Motors can spin unexpectedly during flashing, configuration, or calibration.

1. Remove the propeller(s).
2. Power the aircraft appropriately (per the release notes — USB or battery), with a healthy source; never let power fail mid-flash.
3. Save the current parameters to a file (QGC → Vehicle Setup → Parameters → Tools → Save to file) — this is your known-good fallback.

Updating the autopilot (PX4)

RFD aircraft run RFD-built PX4 firmware, supplied as a firmware file with each release.

1. Connect the aircraft to QGC by USB.
2. Vehicle Setup → Firmware → follow the prompts and select the RFD-supplied firmware file. 🚫 Do not flash the generic “stable” release QGC offers — it does not contain the RFD airframe support and tuning.
3. After flashing, load the RFD parameter file for your aircraft (supplied with the release), then reboot.
4. Verify in Vehicle Setup → Summary: firmware version and airframe match the release notes.
5. Re-run any sensor calibrations the release notes call for.
6. Acceptance check before returning to service: a short hover flight per the release notes (arm, hover, verify attitude hold and yaw response, land), logged in the technical log.

Updating QGroundControl

Use the QGC version stated in the release notes. Avoid updating QGC (or the laptop OS) mid-campaign — update between operations and re-verify connection and telemetry logging afterwards.

Radio (RFD900) firmware

Update telemetry-radio firmware only when an RFD release instructs it, per the RFD900 Telemetry Configuration reference (RFD-TR-001) — both ends of the link must run compatible versions.

If an update goes wrong

Do not fly. Re-flash the RFD firmware file, reload the saved parameter file, and if the aircraft still fails its checks, contact support@rocketfastdrones.com before further attempts.