Using the VEX AIR Drone Controller – VEX Library

The VEX AIR Drone Controller acts as the command center for the VEX AIR Drone. It is where projects are downloaded from VEXcode AIR, where live information from the drone is displayed, and how pilots directly control the drone's actions using its joysticks, programmable buttons, and touchscreen.

Charging the Controller

USB-C cable is being connected to the Controller's USB-C port.

To charge the controller, connect it to a power source via its USB-C port.

Turn on the Controller

To turn on the controller, press and hold the Power button until the indicator LED begins flashing white, then release. This animation shows this process.

To learn more about getting the controller ready for its first flight, view this article.

Controller Features

LED Indicator

Controller with its Power button highlighted to the right of the screen.

The controller has an LED indicator as part of the Power button that shows the status of the controller. These states are described in the tables below.

Color	State	Meaning
Blue	Blinking	Propeller Lock is enabled.
Green	Solid	Controller > 20% battery, not paired with a drone.
Green	Blinking	Controller > 20% battery, paired with a drone.
Red	Solid	Controller < 20% battery, not paired with a drone.
Red	Blinking	Controller < 20% battery, paired with a drone.
White	Blinking	The power button can be released to turn on or turn off the controller.

If the controller is off, the LED Indicator will only turn on while the controller is being charged.

Color	State	Meaning
Green	Solid	Controller is fully charged (100%).
Red	Blinking	Controller is actively charging.

System Buttons

The controller includes four system buttons that perform predefined functions. The Power button and three additional buttons:

Controller with its Change View button highlighted below the Power button.

The Change View button cycles through what will be displayed on the controller's screen.

Forward video - The feed from the forward-facing Vision Sensor.
Downward video - The feed from the downward-facing Vision Sensor.
User Screen - The controller's print area, where all Screen blocks or commands will print to. This view is only available while a project is running.
- Note: During the default_fly project, data and buttons are printed to the User Screen for project settings.

Controller with its Propeller Lock button highlighted to the left of the screen.

The Propeller Lock button which will keep the paired drone grounded until the Power button on the drone is pressed.

While the paired drone has its propellers locked, both LED indicators on the drone and controller will blink blue. See this article for more information about this feature.

Controller with its Takeoff and Land button highlighted below the Propeller Lock button.

The Takeoff & Land button opens the project menu, allowing a project to be selected and started.

When a project is already running, and the drone is flying, pressing the button opens the landing menu.

Programmable Buttons

View of the Controller from the back to show its 8 programmable buttons that are labeled 5 to 12. The buttons are organized in four pairs of 2, and the buttons are highlighted.

The controller includes eight programmable buttons that can be used in VEXcode AIR projects, as well as the default_fly project. These buttons are labeled with numbers 5 through 12.

For more information about coding the controller's buttons, see the VEXcode API Reference for Blocks or Python.

Joysticks

The joysticks are used to control the motion of the drone during flight. To learn more about using the joysticks to control the drone in the default_fly project, view this article.

For more information about coding with controller's joystick axes, view the VEXcode API Reference for Blocks or Python.

Back of the controller is shown with the two joysticks stored in two small compartments. The joysticks are highlighted to indicate that they must be removed before use.

The controller's joysticks must be installed before flight. They are stored on the back of the controller.

Diagram shows the two joysticks being screwed into their holders on the front of the controller. There is one joystick holder on each side of the controller's screen, and an arrow indicates that they should be screwed in clockwise.

The joysticks can then be screwed into the joystick slots on the front of the controller.

Controller Interface

The controller features a touchscreen interface for displaying drone information, status, settings, projects, and more.

Display View

Screen of the Controller is shown, with the center of the screen, showing the view from the forward facing camera, highlighted, between two columns of buttons.

The controller's built-in screen shows the current camera view or the User Screen in the center of the interface. By default, a live video feed from the drone's forward-facing Vision Sensor is shown.

This can be switched to the downward-facing Vision Sensor video feed or the User Screen by pressing the Change View button.

The same image as the one previous, with the Instrument data highlighted in the bottom of the display. The data displays the drone's current heading, altitude, down distance, forward distance, and throttle values from left to right.

Instrument data is shown on the bottom of this section of the screen, displaying the real time data about the drone's position and movement.

Instrument data can be toggled on or off within the Controller Settings (see below) or within the default_fly project.

Controller Settings

The information and buttons on the left side of the interface reference the controller.

The same image as the one previous, now with the controller battery status information in the upper left corner highlighted, reading 42 percent and showing a partially filled battery icon.

Controller Battery

The top left corner shows the controller's current battery level.

The same image as the one previous, with the USB icon and connection icon highlighted on the right side, below the battery information. The connection icon is green, indicating a drone is connected.

Connection Status

The connection status of the controller is shown below the battery information. There are two connection icons:

USB connection - When the controller is connected via USB cable, the USB icon will appear.
Drone connection - When the controller and drone are actively connected, the connection icon will show green (as seen here). It will show white when disconnected.

The Controller screen with the wrench icon Controller Settings button on the right side, below the connection icon, selected and the settings options menu open.

Controller Settings

The Controller Settings menu enables you to toggle settings and adjust various elements based on your preferences.

Controller settings include:

Reticle – Shows or hides the reticle on the forward or downward camera view displays.
Instruments - Shows or hides the instrument panel with telemetry data on the bottom of the screen.
Notifications - Shows or hides the notifications that appear in the lower left corner of the screen.
Mission Logs - Turns Mission Log data recording on or off.
Units - Sets the units displayed on the screen to Metric or Imperial.
Volume - Adjusts the controller volume up or down. The default volume is 50%.
Reset Settings - Allows for all settings to be reverted back to the default.
Firmware - Lists the current firmware version of the controller.

The Controller screen with the Controller Status gauge icon on the right below the settings button selected and the controller status screen in the display. The bottom of the controller is shown with codeable buttons visible on the top, and a calibrate sticks button in the center.

Controller Status

Information about various controller connections and buttons is shown here.

To calibrate the controller's joysticks, select the Calibrate Sticks button in this menu, and follow the prompts.

The controller screen with a list icon Mission Logs button on the right hand side selected and the Mission Logs list window visible in the center of the screen. In the upper left corner of the window is a Clear button, and in the upper right corner an x button.

Mission Logs

Information about drone missions and activity is displayed here. Select Clear to clear the Mission Log information. Select the X button to close the window.

The Controller screen with the Past Mission Data window open and the button showing a V on a file folder in the lower right corner selected. Each mission is listed with a trash can icon to the right.

Past Mission Data

Data from previous missions or projects is available in this menu. This is where you will find captured video or images from the drone's cameras as well. Select a mission to view the data.

View this article to learn about downloading images and video from missions.

Select the Trash icon beside a mission to delete its data from the controller.

Drone Settings

The buttons and information on the right side of the interface reference the drone.

The same image as the one previous, now highlighting the drone battery information in the upper right corner, showing a drone icon and reading 67% with a partially filled battery icon and 6 minutes.

Drone Battery

The top right corner shows the drone's current battery level, as well as the approximate amount of time left until the battery will need to be charged.

The same image as the one previous, with a magnet icon highlighted below the drone battery information on the right side, indicating that the magnet module is connected.

Module

The Module indicator is below the battery information. This icon indicates which, if any, of the Modules are attached to the drone – Magnet (as shown here), Motorized Hook, or a dotted line icon indicates the Passive Hook Module or no Module attached.

The controller screen with the wrench icon Drone Settings button on the right selected, below the magnet icon, and the Drone settings menu open.

Drone Settings

The Drone Settings menu enables you to adjust and set various elements based on your environment and preferences.

Drone settings include:

Max Altitude - Sets the maximum height (in meters) that the drone can fly to.
Steering Mode - Sets the perspective for the drone's movements.
- Standard - movement is oriented based on the front of the drone. (Default)
- Headless - movement is oriented based on the starting position of the drone.
Movement Mode - Sets the drone's movement style.
- Precision - Slower, camera-stabilized mode for accurate control and learning. (Default)
- Balanced - Faster, camera-stabilized mode for smooth, responsive flight.
- Performance - High-speed, non-stabilized mode for advanced maneuvering.
Firmware - Lists the current firmware version of the drone.

The gauge icon Drone Status button on the right hand side below the drone settings button, with the Drone Status menu open.

Drone Status

Information about various aspects of the drone and its activity are shown here.

The Module section shows which Module is attached, and has a button for activating that module.

The Drone Dashboard button is selected, below the Drone Status button on the right side, with the Drone Dashboard visible in the display, showing live position, distance, and acceleration data for the drone.

Drone Dashboard

The Drone Dashboard shows real time data about the drone's position, acceleration, and distance from objects based on sensor data. You can refer to the Drone Dashboard while flying to help you better understand the drone's position in the air.

An eye with a right facing arrow icon Forward Camera button is highlighted on the right side, with two buttons enabling video recording (on the left) and image capture (on the right).

Capture Forward Camera

Select the Video button (on the left) to begin recording the camera feed from the forward-facing Vision Sensor.

Select the Image button (on the right) to capture the still image from the forward-facing Vision Sensor.

View this article to learn about downloading images and video from missions.

The controller screen with An eye with a down facing arrow icon Forward Camera button is highlighted on the right side, with two buttons enabling video recording (on the left) and image capture (on the right).

Capture Downward Camera

Select the Video button (on the left) to begin recording the camera feed from the downward-facing Vision Sensor.

Select the Image button (on the right) to capture the still image from the downward-facing Vision Sensor.

View this article to learn about downloading images and video from missions.

Using the Controller Lanyard

Controller lanyard is shown with its two lanyard pins beside it.

The VEX AIR Drone Controller comes with a lanyard that attaches to the bottom of the controller. Wearing the lanyard helps prevent the controller from falling if the pilot loses grip during a flight session.

Controller is shown with the two lanyard pins being screwed in. Arrows indicate that the pins should be screwed in clockwise.

First, screw the anchor pins into the bottom of the controller.

Lanyard clips are shown attaching to the lanyard pins on the Controller.

Then clip the lanyard onto the anchor pins to attach the lanyard to the controller.