Runs on · OpenFC-Lite
Betaflight
Betaflight is the flight controller firmware used in most mini-quad freestyle builds. OpenFC-Lite is a Betaflight-target board; the RP2350-platform port is being upstreamed.
€1 per order · forwarded
The firmware makes the hardware fly. We pay the people who wrote it.
Every OpenDrone board runs on firmware we didn't write. For every unit sold we forward €1 to the upstream project: one contribution, one transaction, one line item in our books. Here's the list, with links if you want to give them more directly.
01 · How the split works
When you buy a board, the checkout total covers the hardware price plus a €1 firmware contribution baked in. We batch those contributions and forward them to the upstream project via GitHub Sponsors, OpenCollective, or a direct bank transfer, depending on what the maintainers have set up.
On the OpenStack bundle (OpenFC-Lite + OpenESC) the split doubles: €1 to Betaflight, €1 to AM32. The bundle is the same two boards at the same prices, and both maintainers keep their cut.
02 · The projects
Runs on · OpenESC
AM32
AM32 is a multi-MCU ESC firmware alternative to BLHeli, MIT-licensed. OpenESC runs AM32 on AT32F421 channels: the same firmware as other AM32 ESCs, no custom fork, no vendor lock-in.
Runs on · OpenRX
ExpressLRS
ExpressLRS is the open long-range 2.4 GHz / sub-GHz radio protocol. OpenRX targets are upstream (Unified_ESP32C3_2400_RX for Lite, Unified_ESP32C3_LR1121_RX for Mono/Gemini) so you flash with the standard ExpressLRS configurator.
03 · The optional donation
At checkout you'll see an optional donation step: €1, €3, €5, €10 or skip. 100% of that line is forwarded on top of the baked-in €1. We don't keep a cut.
If you'd rather give directly, every project above links to its own donation page. Direct giving skips the payment-processor fee entirely; the checkout option is there if it's more convenient.