🔧 RC Tuning Guide

What's it doing wrong? Pick the symptom and get the fixes to try — in order, with the reason each one works. Change one thing at a time and re-test.

Real tuning theory — cars/trucks, boats, planes and FPV drones each have their own real symptoms and fixes. Your exact manual/manufacturer guide always wins — this gets you pointed the right way fast.

Descending / decelerating
Prop wash / mid-throttle wobbles

The quad oscillates or wobbles when descending or backing off throttle, flying through its own turbulent air.

3 ranked fixes →
Any
Oscillations — fast, high-frequency shake

A fast, high-frequency shake or buzz is visible in flight or in blackbox logs.

3 ranked fixes →
Flips / rolls / fast stick inputs
Bounce-back after fast stick movements

After a quick flip or roll, the quad bounces back past level instead of settling cleanly.

3 ranked fixes →
Any
Motors running hot

Motors are noticeably hot to the touch after a normal flight.

3 ranked fixes →
Punch-outs / high load
Desync — motor stutter or stops

A motor briefly stutters, stops, or restarts, usually under hard acceleration.

3 ranked fixes →
After stick input, low-authority builds
I-term windup — won't settle, holds an angle after a stick input

After a stick movement, the quad holds a tilted angle instead of returning cleanly to level.

2 ranked fixes →
Any
Noise / vibration visible in blackbox logs

Blackbox logs show a clear noise spike, even if the flight feels okay.

3 ranked fixes →
Throttle punches
Poor punch-out / weak power feel

The quad doesn't feel like it has the punch it should on a hard throttle input.

3 ranked fixes →
Any
Twitchy / hard to control feel

Small stick inputs produce an out-sized, hard-to-control reaction.

3 ranked fixes →
Hover, Angle/Horizon mode
Drifting / not holding hover in Angle mode

The quad slowly drifts sideways instead of holding a fixed hover point in self-leveling mode.

3 ranked fixes →

Want it dialed for good? Save what works as a Setup Sheet, log how it ran in your Run Log, and read deeper in the RC Wiki.