A
A30
A high-current connector for LiPos, similar to XT30 but with a different design, capable of up to 30A.
ACCST
Radio control protocol for FrSky transmitters.
AIO (All-In-One)
A flight controller that integrates FC, ESC, and often VTX into one board.
Air Unit
A device that combines a camera and video transmitter for digital FPV systems.
Airmode
A Betaflight feature that keeps the motors active even at zero throttle.
Angle Mode
A flight mode in which the drone is automatically kept level.
Arm
The process of activating the motors, usually done with a specific switch combination on the transmitter.
B
Balancer
Adapter for evenly charging the individual cells of a LiPo battery.
BEC
Voltage regulator that ensures a stable power supply.
Betaflight
A popular open-source firmware for flight controllers.
Blackbox
A recording system in the FC that stores flight data for later analysis.
BLHeli
A widely used firmware for ESCs (Electronic Speed Controllers).
BNF (Bind-N-Fly)
A ready-to-fly drone that just needs to be bound to a compatible transmitter.
Brushed Motor
An electric motor with carbon brushes, often used in small or inexpensive drones.
Brushless Motor
A brushless electric motor, more efficient and powerful than brushed motors.
BT2.0
A compact high-current connector for micro drones, developed by BetaFPV.
Bullnose Propeller
Propellers with cut-off, straight tips. Increases thrust but also power consumption.
C
CC2500
A 2.4 GHz transceiver chip used in some FPV systems and RC receivers, especially in FrSky products.
CCD
A high-quality camera type that is particularly light-sensitive and has less rolling shutter effect.
CCW
Counterclockwise - Refers to motors and propellers that spin counterclockwise.
CLI (Command Line Interface)
A text-based interface for configuring Betaflight.
Cloverleaf
A cloverleaf-shaped antenna design for improved video reception.
CMOS
A sensor type used in many FPV cameras.
CPPM
Combined PPM - A protocol for transmitting multiple control channels over a single wire.
C-Rating
Indicates the discharge rate of a battery as a multiple of its capacity.
CW
Clockwise - Refers to motors and propellers that spin clockwise.
D
DCL (Drone Champions League)
A professional drone racing league.
Deadband
A range around the center position of the control sticks where no response occurs.
DeadCat
A frame shape with forward-angled front arms.
Diversity
System with two antennas/receivers that automatically uses the better signal.
DJI FPV System
A digital FPV system with high image quality and low latency.
Dshot
A digital protocol for communication between FC and ESCs.
Dump
CLI command to save the current FC configuration.
DVR (Digital Video Recorder)
A device or feature for recording the FPV video stream.
E
ELRS (ExpressLRS)
An open-source radio protocol with very low latency and long range.
ESC (Electronic Speed Controller)
Controls the motor speed based on signals from the FC.
Expo (Exponential)
A setting that reduces stick sensitivity around the center.
F
Failsafe
A safety feature that performs certain actions in case of signal loss.
FC (Flight Controller)
The "brain" of the drone, controlling all other components.
Flash
The process of uploading new firmware to the FC or ESC.
Flip
A full rotation of the drone around one of its axes.
FPV (First Person View)
Flying a drone from the first-person perspective using video transmission.
G
Gain
The strength with which the FC responds to movements.
Gyro (Gyroscope)
Sensor for detecting the drone's rotational movements.
H
HD (High Definition)
Refers to high-definition video transmission in FPV systems.
I
INAV
A firmware for flight controllers specializing in navigation and autopilot functions.
IPD (Insulated Piercing Device)
A method for securely connecting wires without soldering.
J
JST
A family of connectors commonly used for signal lines and lower current levels.
K
KV
Indicates the motor speed per volt (RPM per volt).
L
Latency
The delay between camera capture and image display in the FPV goggles.
LHCP
Left Hand Circular Polarization - a type of antenna polarization, opposite to RHCP.
LiHV
Lithium-High-Voltage, a LiPo variant with higher voltage (4.35V per cell).
LiPo (Lithium-Polymer)
The most commonly used battery type for FPV drones.
Looptime
The time it takes for the FC to complete a full control cycle.
LOS (Line of Sight)
Flying a drone within visual range without FPV equipment.
LUA / LUA Script
A programming language for creating scripts for modern RC transmitters.
M
Multishot
A fast protocol for communication between FC and ESCs.
O
OSD (On-Screen Display)
Overlaying flight data on the FPV video image.
P
PCB
Printed Circuit Board - the board on which electronic components are mounted.
PID
Proportional Integral Derivative - a control algorithm for flight stabilization.
Pigtail
Adapter cable, usually for antenna connections.
Pitch
The rotation of the drone around the lateral axis (nodding motion).
PNP (Plug-N-Play)
A nearly ready-to-fly drone that still needs a receiver.
Propeller
Generate the thrust for flying, available in various sizes and pitches.
R
Rates
Settings that determine how aggressively the drone responds to control inputs.
RHCP
Right Hand Circular Polarization - a type of antenna polarization, opposite to LHCP.
RTF (Ready-To-Fly)
A fully ready-to-fly drone, including a transmitter.
RX (Receiver)
The receiver in the drone that receives signals from the transmitter.
S
SBus
A digital protocol for transmitting control signals from the receiver to the FC.
T
TBS Crossfire/Tracer
Long-range RC systems with low latency.
Telemetry
Transmission of flight data from the drone to the transmitter or ground station.
Thrust-to-Weight Ratio
The ratio between the maximum thrust and the weight of the drone.
True X
A classic X-frame design without modifications.
TX (Transmitter)
The transmitter used by the pilot to control the drone.
V
VTX (Video Transmitter)
Transmits the video signal from the drone to the FPV goggles or monitor.
X
XT30
A high-current connector for smaller drones, capable of up to 30A continuous.
XT60
The standard high-current connector for larger FPV drones, capable of up to 60A continuous.