🎥 Rates
How fast a drone rotates for a given stick deflection in acro mode — higher rates spin faster for the same stick movement.
What it actually does
Rates decide how fast the aircraft rotates at full stick deflection. They set the character of the flying — gentle and cinematic, or capable of a full flip in a fraction of a second — and they are entirely a matter of taste rather than correctness.
In practice
Most rate systems have three parts: a centre sensitivity, a maximum rotation speed, and an expo that softens response around centre. Beginners are generally better served by lower rates than they think, because a calm aircraft is easier to learn precise control on.
Worth knowing
Rates and expo are personal and do not transfer meaningfully between pilots. Copying a fast pilot's rates is a reliable way to make an aircraft feel unflyable.