Flight Mode Overview
TIP
A flight mode defines how the aircraft behaves in flight. The common ones are Stabilize, AltHold, Loiter, Auto, RTL and Follow. You switch between them with an RC channel (usually a mode switch) or from the ground station.
Common flight modes
- Stabilize: basic manual mode. Stick input drives attitude directly, with no self-levelling assistance.
- AltHold: holds a target altitude on top of Stabilize. Good for beginners to practise on.
- Loiter: uses GPS to hold position over one spot (multirotor).
- Auto: flies a pre-planned mission.
- RTL: returns to the takeoff point and lands.
- Follow: follows the ground station or a designated target.
Related parameters
FLTMODE_CH: the RC channel used for flight mode selection.FLTMODE1~FLTMODE6: the mode assigned to each switch position.- Modes can also be set from the flight mode screen in the ground station.
NOTE
Fly the first flight in an open area and confirm every flight mode actually engages before you rely on it.