E-Flite Convergence Conversion to OpenAero-VTOL

The E-flite Convergence is a nice VTOL available through Horizon Hobby, $249.99

https://www.horizonhobby.com/convergence-vtol-bnf-basic-efl11050

It flies well in stock form though as with all things, some people want something different.  OpenAero-VTOL (OAV) is a KK-mini based Flight Controller (FC) that can be used as an upgrade to the stock FC and is available pre-flashed from Altitude Hobbies.

• The stock FC provides a stability and agility mode in both hover and forward flight for a total of 4 flight modes.
• The Convergence with the stock FC is capable of impressive flips and rolls in hover agility mode.  It is also stable and easy to fly in hover stability mode.
• In forward flight it is reasonably fast for a VTOL and flies nicely.  It is capable of basic aerobatic maneuvers like loops, rolls, and inverted flight.
• The stock FC makes a sharp cut over from hover mode to Forward Flight (FF) mode.  In some cases this can result in some bobbles at the point of transition.
• It converts to stability mode automatically when the battery is low, or even when the battery has plenty of remaining charge if the battery has too high a series resistance.
• It converts to hover stability mode if the RF signal is lost and takes several seconds to reconvert to forward flight mode when/if the RF signal is regained.
• The FC limits pilot input during the outbound transition.  A straight climbing transition is the only option.
• In hover stability mode the Convergence uses motor tilt instead of aircraft body tilt.  This allows it to fly forward or backwards relatively quickly with the body level.
• The stock FC does not provide an intermediate flight mode, nor is one necessary.  It can fly forward fairly quickly in hover stability mode.
• Some pilots have complained of bobbles when converting from Agility Mode to Stability Mode, or from Forward Flight to Hover mode.  In some cases the nose will raise up and the aircraft will refuse to move forward in hover mode even with full forward stick.  This seems to be a brief and temporary condition.
• Some pilots have complained that the Convergence is “overtuned” meaning it has a very “crisp” response to control inputs in hover.  This is mostly a matter of personal preference.
• The stock FC can exhibit some mild oscillations in certain portions of the flight envelope.  This is a matter of stability parameter fine tuning and is not generally a problem.
• Mostly the stock FC is what it is.  If you don’t like how it works, you have no choice.

By contrast the KK2 with OAV is completely flexible, and therefore more challenging to set up.  It has 2 flight modes, for hover and forward flight as well as an intermediate flight mode at any percentage in between. You can set up the two flight modes however you like.  OAV also makes a smooth transition between flight modes which means you can fly at any stage between hover and Fast Forward Flight (FFF) in full control for as long as you like.  You have full control throughout the transition in both directions.

If you fly exclusively in agility mode and enjoy doing flips, then you should probably stick with the stock FC.  OAV can be programmed in an equivalent way, but there is no good reason to make the change.  If you want to explore transitional flight, and learn about many more tuning options, then OAV is right for you.

The full article can be found here:

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/ojej810y7xr0uhj/AADca8z7GPe8PjxC7n-w_fNDa?dl=0