FPV Drone Frame

There are many different styles of frame, all related to the stance of the arms and the size and shape of the electronics carriage. Below, each frame type is explained along with a graphical example.

True X
The true X is shaped as it sounds, an X geometry to which a motor is mounted to each end of the arms. The perpendicular distance between the centre of each motor is equal, therefore giving the quadcopter the same level of stability on all axis.

Wide X
A wide X has its arms splayed outward to the side. The wide X geometry is more common in freestyle frames, this is because more central space is often required to mount an action camera and battery on top of the frame.

Stretch X
The stretch X is a rotated wide X. The stretch X is typically favoured by racers who are seeking more stability on the pitch axis, which can improve control when the quadcopter is racing at high speed.

Dead Cat
The dead cat style is typically favoured by larger quadcopter designs. Its purpose is to remove the propellers from the sight of the on-board HD camera, this is achieved by increasing the perpendicular distance between the two frontal motors. The popularity of the dead cat design has sagged along with the increasing interest in smaller miniquads. Although, there are some mini and micro quads that continue to utilize the dead cat design, typically as a means of accommodating uniquely shaped centre carriages. (The dead cat style was named after the pioneering design undertaken by Dutch artist Bart Jansen. Jansen used taxidermy to preserve his recently deceased cat before converting its body into an organic quadcopter. We wish we were joking.)

H
The H style is another archaic style of quadcopter design. In a H quad, the arms are positioned at the front of a long “bus” style carriage. Recently, the H quad has lost favour due to its bulky size and awkward configuration.

HX
The HX is a newer variant of the H. Instead of placing the arms at the tip and tail of the carriage, a true X, wide X or stretch X configuration is applied, most often wide or true X.

Z
A Z quad uses two similar base plates mounted on top of each other to produce a stepped geometry between the front and rear motors. Mounting the motors on different planes improves the prop wash handling of the quadcopter, as less turbulent air is directed towards the rear motors during forward flight.

Plus
A plus frame has the same footprint as a X frame that has been turned 45°. A plus frame can be seen as advantageous in that each motor is responsible for rotational movement in only one axis, theoretically meaning finer control is possible. Although, plus frames are more prone to breakage due to most impacts involving a forceful strike to the front arm only.

Vertical Arms
Vertical arms rotate the orientation of the arms to produce as small of a surface area as possible to minimize drag. Durability is not usually compromized as the arm may still maintain width, however, construction of the frame is often more complex than standard horizontal frames.