ArduPilot Flight Controller: What It Is, Why It Matters, and What to Choose for Agriculture Drones
In the rapidly evolving world of drone technology, the flight controller is the brain of every UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle). For agriculture drones, which must perform complex tasks like terrain following, autonomous spraying, and GPS-guided navigation, having a smart and reliable flight controller is non-negotiable.
One name that consistently stands out in the drone ecosystem is ArduPilot—a powerful, open-source autopilot software suite that transforms compatible hardware into fully autonomous aerial systems.
But here’s the catch: not every flight controller supports ArduPilot.
In this blog, we’ll break down:
What is an ArduPilot flight controller?
Why ArduPilot is a preferred choice for advanced users
Which flight controllers from Bharat Skytech support ArduPilot (and which don’t)
What alternatives you can explore for your agriculture drone needs
What is an ArduPilot Flight Controller?
An ArduPilot flight controller is any drone flight controller hardware that can run the ArduPilot firmware. ArduPilot is an open-source autopilot system supporting a wide variety of drones—including quadcopters, hexacopters, VTOLs, boats, and even ground vehicles.
When installed on compatible hardware, ArduPilot offers:
Fully autonomous missions
Advanced flight modes like RTL (Return to Launch), Auto, Loiter, and Follow Me
Real-time telemetry and diagnostics
Support for external modules like terrain sensors, radars, sprayers, and more
It’s highly customizable, making it the top choice for researchers, engineers, and precision agriculture professionals.
Why Use ArduPilot for Agriculture Drones?
Agriculture drones must fly long routes, follow changing terrain, and operate in high-risk outdoor environments. ArduPilot provides the control, flexibility, and modularity needed for these challenges:
✅ Open Source & Community Driven
ArduPilot is maintained by a global community of developers and researchers, which means frequent updates, bug fixes, and integration with the latest technologies.
✅ Customizable Mission Planning
Using tools like Mission Planner or QGroundControl, users can plan spraying paths, waypoints, and boundary missions with ease.
✅ Wide Hardware Compatibility
ArduPilot runs on popular hardware like the Cube Orange, Holybro Pixhawk, Durandal, and Omnibus F4 boards, allowing integration with a wide range of accessories.
Do the Flight Controllers on Bharat Skytech Support ArduPilot?
We currently offer three high-performance flight controllers designed for agriculture drones. However, if you’re specifically looking for ArduPilot support, it’s important to understand the differences:
❌ Jiyi K-3A Pro Flight Controller Kit
Not compatible with ArduPilot firmware.
Uses a proprietary system from Jiyi Tech.
Great for agricultural spraying and mapping, but works with Jiyi’s own control software—not ArduPilot or Mission Planner.
❌ VK V9 Flight Controller with GPS
A powerful agriculture drone controller with GPS and IMU support.
However, does not support ArduPilot firmware.
Typically used with its own ground control station or proprietary mission planning tools.
❌ Jiyi K++V2 Flight Controller Kit
One of the most stable systems for large spraying drones.
Not supported by ArduPilot; it runs on Jiyi’s proprietary firmware ecosystem.
Integrates well with Jiyi radars and modules, but closed to third-party flight systems like ArduPilot.
So, What If You Want to Use ArduPilot?
If you’re specifically looking for ArduPilot-compatible flight controllers, consider the following hardware (not currently available on Bharat Skytech, but widely used):
✅ Cube Orange / CubePilot
Industry-standard for professional drone builds
Fully ArduPilot-supported
Modular and easy to expand
✅ Holybro Pixhawk Series (Pixhawk 4, Pix32, Durandal)
High performance and ArduPilot-compatible
Supported by QGroundControl and Mission Planner
Ideal for DIY agriculture drones or research setups
✅ CUAV V5+
Advanced STM32H7 microcontroller
Reliable in industrial and agricultural use cases
Full ArduPilot support
We are working on expanding our catalogue to include these options soon. Until then, the Jiyi and VK systems available on our site are excellent for plug-and-play agriculture missions—even if they don’t support ArduPilot firmware.
Radar and Terrain Modules: Still Valuable for Any System
Even if your current flight controller doesn’t support ArduPilot, you can still boost drone performance using modules like obstacle avoidance radars and terrain following sensors—both of which are fully compatible with Jiyi’s flight controllers.
🔹 Jiyi Obstacle Avoidance Radar – Forward & Rear
Price: ₹15,699.00 (each) – (Original: ₹18,698.00)
Helps drones detect and avoid trees, poles, and boundaries
🔹 Jiyi Terrain Following Radar
Price: ₹15,699.00 – (Original: ₹18,698.00)
Ensures consistent height over uneven fields
Improves spraying accuracy and drone safety
These can be installed with Jiyi K++V2 and K-3A Pro controllers with minimal setup.
Should You Always Choose ArduPilot?
Not necessarily. If you are:
A drone builder
A researcher
A system integrator
Then ArduPilot is perfect due to its flexibility and compatibility.
But if you’re a farmer or agri-entrepreneur looking for ready-to-use equipment, the Jiyi and VK systems available at Bharat Skytech may be more convenient. They are:
Easy to set up
Reliable in Indian conditions
Supported with documentation and customer care
Final Thoughts: Your Drone, Your Choice
While none of the current flight controllers on Bharat Skytech support ArduPilot, they are still among the most reliable systems for agriculture applications in India. If you’re a developer or need specific ArduPilot-based customization, we recommend looking into supported hardware like the Cube or Pixhawk series.
At the same time, for plug-and-play agri-drones, our selection of Jiyi and VK flight controllers, coupled with radar and GPS modules, will give you robust performance at the best prices.
Need Help Choosing the Right System?
Our team is here to help you select the ideal drone components for your farming or research needs.
📞 Call: +91 8448892385
📧 Email: info@bharatskytech.com
🌐 Website: www.bharatskytech.com
