PILOT·BENCH
// MISSION CONTROL · OPEN SOURCE · LONG RANGE

Autonomous FPV
for things that think

INAV. ArduPilot. ELRS. AM32. Open-source flight control, radio, and ESCs for long-range autonomous missions. No racing. No gimmicks. Just the cutting-edge tools builders use to fly smarter.

01 / AUTONOMOUS FLIGHT CONTROL

Mission-driven autopilot

INAV for GPS-based waypoint flights. ArduPilot for advanced autonomy. Both open-source, both battle-tested.

Autonomous Navigation

INAV

Advanced Autonomy

ArduPilot

Flight Planning

Ground Stations

Flight Controllers

Open-Source FCs

02 / RADIO CONTROL

ELRS — the future

ExpressLRS: open-source, long-range, low-latency. Replacing proprietary RF tech across the hobby.

Open-Source RF

ExpressLRS

Transmitter Hardware

ELRS Transmitters

Receiver Hardware

ELRS Receivers

Long-Range Tech

Extended Range

03 / FIRMWARE & TOOLS

Configuration mastery

AM32 ESCs. Betaflight. EdgeTX. The open-source stack that powers autonomous flight.

Open-Source ESC

AM32

Flight Control

Betaflight

Transmitter Firmware

EdgeTX

04 / HARDWARE & POWER

Long-range systems

Batteries, GPS, antennas, power management for extended-duration autonomous flight.

RF & Antennas

Signal Strength

05 / FPV INNOVATION

What's new in open-source

Latest firmware releases, hardware updates, and breakthrough tech in autonomous FPV.

ELRS 4.0 Release

April 2026

New 2.4GHz improvements and 900MHz performance gains. Faster telemetry, lower latency, extended range on both bands.

Read more →

ArduPilot 4.6 Released

March 2026

New autonomous features for fixed-wing and multirotor. Better GPS failsafe, improved path planning, enhanced sensor fusion.

Read more →

INAV 7.0 Update

February 2026

Faster configurator, new waypoint logic, improved battery monitoring. Better support for autonomous fixed-wing missions.

Read more →

AM32 ESC Firmware Improvements

January 2026

Better telemetry integration, reduced cogging, improved efficiency on high-voltage systems.

Read more →
05 / BENCH ESSENTIALS

Tools & Gear We Use

Soldering Iron
Pinecil V2
Portable, precise, open-source
Smart Charger
ISDT Q8 Pro
8 channels, fast charging
Portable Charger
ToolkitRC M7
Field-ready, reliable
Brushless Motor
T-Motor Velox V2207
Premium long-range performance
07 / KEEP IT FLYING

This bench runs on coffee and belief.

Every link here was tested, debugged, and flown by someone building autonomous systems. If Pilot Bench helped you understand open-source FPV, or saved you from a bad hardware choice, toss a few bucks in the fuel tank.

// DISCLOSURE
Some outbound links are affiliate links. If you buy through them, Pilot Bench may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only list gear and platforms I'd recommend to a friend — revenue never buys a spot on this bench. All tools and firmware listed are either open-source or battle-tested by the community.