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PID Tuning

This guide explains how to adjust PID parameters for optimal flight performance.


PID Basics

A PID controller consists of three parts:

TermFunction
P (Proportional)Responds to current error, higher = faster response
I (Integral)Eliminates steady-state error, maintains attitude
D (Derivative)Predicts and suppresses oscillation

PID Parameters

Roll/Pitch

ParameterDescriptionDefault
PID_ROLL_PRoll P gain45
PID_ROLL_IRoll I gain80
PID_ROLL_DRoll D gain35
PID_PITCH_PPitch P gain45
PID_PITCH_IPitch I gain80
PID_PITCH_DPitch D gain35

Yaw

ParameterDescriptionDefault
PID_YAW_PYaw P gain45
PID_YAW_IYaw I gain80
PID_YAW_DYaw D gain0

Tuning Method

Step 1: Adjust P

  1. Start from default values
  2. Gradually increase P
  3. When high-frequency vibration appears, reduce by 10-20%

Step 2: Adjust D

  1. D is used to suppress oscillation caused by P
  2. Gradually increase D
  3. When motors get hot or noise appears, reduce D

Step 3: Adjust I

  1. I is used to maintain attitude
  2. Usually default values work fine
  3. I too low causes drift, too high causes low-frequency wobble

Common Issues

High-Frequency Vibration

Symptoms: Blurry propellers while hovering, hot motors

Solution: Reduce D gain or filter cutoff frequency

Low-Frequency Wobble

Symptoms: Aircraft swaying side to side

Solution: Reduce P or I gain

Sluggish Response

Symptoms: Delayed response after stick input

Solution: Increase P and D gains


5” Freestyle

ParameterValue
P (Roll/Pitch)45
I (Roll/Pitch)80
D (Roll/Pitch)35

5” Racing

ParameterValue
P (Roll/Pitch)55
I (Roll/Pitch)90
D (Roll/Pitch)40

Tiny Whoop

ParameterValue
P (Roll/Pitch)35
I (Roll/Pitch)70
D (Roll/Pitch)25

Tuning Checklist

  • Calibrate accelerometer
  • Check motor direction
  • Start from default PID
  • Tune P first, then D
  • Fine-tune I last
  • Save settings
Terminal window
param save