In its traditional configuration,this hardware includes a radio receiver that is associated with an RF remote control operated manually. In the prototype system, this control mechanism is used only during takeoff and landing, because once started the flight, the autopilot implemented in the RPI takes command of the vehicle.

Encoded signals by radio frequency receiver are sent through channels to Arducopter which interprets them according to a mapping with the different axes of movement of the vehicle. In the prototype configuration channels and corresponding movement axes they are mapped as follows: