Version 2.6 of the ArduCopter code is now available in the AP Mission Planner and in the downloads area!

Updates to MavLink 1.0 means you will need to use "ArdupilotMegaPlanner10.exe" to connect.  If you've updated your mission planner recently you should find this executable in the directory where the mission planner is installed.

The above video is done using a prototype 3dr ublox GPS which seems to have better accuracy than the standard mediatek.

Improvements over 2.5.5 include:
     - MavLink 1.0 support (use with ArdupilotMegaPlanner10.exe) [Tridge, Craig]
     - Stability improvements especially during level hover [Jason]
     - throttle range improvement (higher min and max) [Jason]
     - improved standard Loiter PIDs [Alan, Heino, Jason, Angel]
     - dataflash erase speed up ('+' messages removed but it only takes 6 seconds now) [Tridge]
     - Copter LEDs [Robert Lefebvre]
     - RTL loiter stage target set to home to improve final landing position [Jason]
     - flip & acro improvements [Jason]
     - circle mode target improvement for ground station [Jason]
     - Auto Approach [Adam Rivera / Marco]

Tuning:
PIDs are optimised for the stock Arducopter quad kit with 850 motors and 10" props.  If you're using more powerful motors/props and are seeing bad flight behaviour in stabilize, start by turning down Rate Roll P in 25% steps.

This time we spent some time optimising the loiter PIDs.  Tuning loiter can be tricky so please refer to the discussions which will appear below for more community feedback on what parameters work best.
 
All feedback welcome below.  Enhancement requests and bug reports can be put into the arducopter issues list.  When possible please include logs (tlog and/or dataflash) and tell us whether you're using APM1 or APM2 and what version of the software you're using (presumably 2.6 but tell us anyway!).

Happy flying!

Version 2.5 of the ArduCopter code is now available in the AP Mission Planner and in the downloads area!

Enhancements:

1. The first ArduCopter code release optimized for the APM 2.  Leans and drift should be much reduced or even eliminated for most users.  This was accomplished through a number of core improvements to the DCM implementation by Tridge like this one and this one.
2. Loiter and waypoint following should be improved due to a D term bug fix, some tuning and the improved DCM performance mentioned above.
3. On start-up, the yaw heading is updated with first successful mag read (so you should no longer see the slow rotation from north to your actual heading).
4. Increased output rate to ESCs to 490hz.  This update rate is also user selectable using the new RC_SPEED parameter.
5. hexa copter stability patch bug fix (should resolve slight flattening when pitching forward and accelerating very rapidly).
6. improved baro filtering
7. fix to dataflash logging of Mag heading
8. addition of H1 swash plate type and bug fix for proactive yaw compensation for collective pitch changes for TradHelis.

This is a quick guide to show you how to plan your first arducopter mission.  This will enable you to turn on your arducopter UAV, put it into auto mode, and then arducopter will take-off, then fly to a series of waypoint and land, all on its own!

This guide is just a basic introduction to planning a autonomous Arducopter mission, a future guide will be released showing some more advanced missions with arducopter, such as following a point with a camera, triggering a camera etc...

Hardware in the loop simulation for arducopter has been around for a few months already, but it usually requires you to find a quad-copter model for xplane to use yourself, It is not the prettiest model but it gets the job done.  I have attached a decent model of a quad-copter for xplane, along with the parameters (thanks to Jean-Louis) for anyone to easily get started with arducopter hardware in the loop simulation.  Allowing you to test arducopter out in a safe virtual environment.  The file can be downloaded below (Xplane-quad.zip).

If you are not using the standard Arducopter Power Distribution Board this quide will show you how you can easily connect your ArduPilot Mega/ Arducopter Board with the rest of your frame.    Read more for more details

This guide will show you how to assembly your SIXcopter Hexacopter frame.

This guide will show you how to assemble your Lunar Lander 4 Quadcopter frame.

If you want to add 2 way telemetry to your Arducopter, you can with a Telemetry Kit from Unmanned Tech.  This kit contains everything you need to control your Arducopter with your laptop with the Ground Control Station software.  Read more for all the details