Flashing ArduPilot onto a Betaflight Flight Controller (UMT PD Drone)
🧩 Prerequisites
Before you begin, download and install the following tools:
- STM32CubeProgrammer –Download link (Mega)Used to flash the bootloader and firmware to the flight controller.
- Mission Planner –Official installation guideUsed later to configure and manage ArduPilot once installed.
⚙️ Step 1 – Check Compatibility
Not all Betaflight boards are supported by ArduPilot.
Before flashing, confirm that your board is compatible.
- Visit theArduPilot firmware repository to check if your hardware is listed.
For the UMT PD Drone (F405 flight controller), we provide a custom build that includes both the firmware and bootloader:
File:arducopter_with_bl.hex(available in the attachments below)
🔧 Step 2 – Flash the ArduPilot Bootloader
Most Betaflight controllers do not ship with an ArduPilot bootloader, so it must be installed manually.
1. Prepare the files
Download the provided firmware package:
➡️ arducopter_with_bl.hex
2. Open STM32CubeProgrammer
Launch STM32CubeProgrammer on your computer.
Click “Open file” and select the
arducopter_with_bl.hexfile.
3. Connect the board in DFU mode
To enter DFU (Device Firmware Update) mode:
Press and hold the BOOT button on your flight controller.
While holding it, connect the board to your PC via USB.
The board should appear as a DFU device.
If not, you may need to install a DFU driver.
Refer to your board’s documentation for detailed steps.
4. Flash the firmware
In STM32CubeProgrammer, click the refresh icon on the right.
You should see “USB1” appear in the dropdown menu.Click Connect.
Click Download to begin flashing the bootloader and ArduPilot firmware.
Flashing will take a few minutes. Do not disconnect the board during this process.
🔁 Step 3 – Verify Installation
Once the process completes, unplug the USB cable and then reconnect it.
The LEDs on your board should begin flashing.
In Windows Device Manager, a new device named “ArduPilot (COMx)” should appear.
This confirms that ArduPilot is now successfully running on your flight controller.
🧭 Step 4 – Configure Using Mission Planner
After flashing:
Open Mission Planner.
Connect to the new ArduPilot COM port.
- Proceed with firmware verification, sensor calibration, and frame setup as described in theMission Planner documentation
- If you are flashing the UMT PD Drone F405, then the next step would be to go through the firmware flashing step on mission planner again using the "load custom firmware option", and now flash the arducopter_F405_Dshot.apj file (see attachments) as this will load the default configs for the UMT PD Drone.
Flashing firmware may overwrite your Betaflight configuration. Backup any settings before proceeding.
Only use firmware files verified for your exact flight controller model.
Incorrect flashing may render your board temporarily unresponsive; in that case, repeat the DFU flashing process.
Related Articles
How to install/Flash Betaflight Firmware (GUI or DFU Mode)
This is a quick guide that will walk you through the process of flashing betaflight firmware onto your flight controller What is a "Firmware Target" or "HEX File" in this context? Betaflight firmware is made to run on many different boards. So, it is ...Loading CLI Defaults onto Your Betaflight Flight Controller/Drone: A Step-by-Step Guide
Important things to note when using CLI Dumps/Diff When using CLI dumps, there are several important things to keep in mind: Always make sure the version of Betaflight firmware on your board is the same version as that on the CLI Dump file. While you ...Betaflight Firmware Guide for iFlight BNF Drones
Important Disclaimer More than 50% of our support work is linked to messed up firmware, flash-bricked flight controllers or misconfigured BNF drones. So don't waste your time or money, FPV quads are more fun flying than fixing... Before proceeding ...How to check what Firmware is running on your Betaflight flight controller (firmware version and firmware target)
To check what firmware version and firmware target your board is using please follow the steps below: Connect your flight controller to your PC via USB Open up betaflight GUI and connect to your board Once connected, in the bottom right you will see ...FPV Drone Component Buying Guide - Parts Compatibility
I. Introduction: Mastering FPV Drone Part Compatibility A. The Enduring Principles of a Harmonious FPV System The world of First Person View (FPV) drones is one of rapid innovation, with new components and technologies emerging at a breakneck pace. ...