Blackbox explorer for Betaflight and INAV logs

Features

• Graphs

  Gyro, setpoint, P, I, D and feedforward, motors and RC commands, with graph presets for common tuning views.

• Noise spectrum

  Frequency analysis of gyro and D-term, a noise-by-throttle map, and the filter cutoffs from the log header marked on the plot.

• Several logs per file

  Each arm is a separate log; pick the one you want from the file.

• GPS track

  The flight path on a map with the playback cursor, exportable as GPX or KML.

• Video sync

  Play your flight video beside the graphs and keep the two in step.

• CSV export

  Export decoded data for spreadsheets or your own scripts.

Reading a blackbox log

Start with gyro against setpoint on each axis. If the gyro trace follows the setpoint closely with little overshoot, the PIDs are in a good place. Oscillation after a quick stick move points at P or D. Slow drift during long turns points at I. Motor traces that touch 100 percent show the quad ran out of authority.

Then open the spectrum. A tall peak that moves with throttle is usually motor noise, which the RPM filter handles; a fixed peak often comes from a frame resonance or a loose part. Comparing the peaks with the filter cutoffs shown on the plot tells you whether the filters are working where they should.

Compared with the Betaflight Blackbox Explorer

The Betaflight Blackbox Explorer is the reference log viewer and has the deepest set of options. FlySpark covers the views most pilots use, graphs, spectrum, GPS and video, in a layout that also works on a phone held upright. Use whichever is closer to hand; both read the same files.

If you fly a CHIRP test flight, the PID autotune tool turns that log into slider suggestions.

Getting the log

Logs live on the flight controller's flash chip or SD card. Download them with the Blackbox tab of the Betaflight configurator, or read the SD card directly, then open the file here. Set the logging rate to 2 kHz or higher for a useful spectrum.

How to open a Betaflight blackbox log in the browser

1. Save the log. Download the log from the flight controller or copy it from the SD card.
2. Open Blackbox explorer. Open FlySpark and choose Blackbox explorer.
3. Pick the file. Choose the .BBL, .BFL or .TXT file, then pick which log in the file to view.
4. Analyse. Scrub through the graphs, switch to the spectrum, and export what you need.

Frequently asked questions

Which log formats can it read?

Betaflight and INAV blackbox logs in .BBL, .BFL and .TXT files. ArduPilot .bin dataflash logs are a different format and are not opened here.

Are my logs uploaded?

No. Logs are decoded in your browser or on your phone.

Can I view blackbox logs on Android?

Yes. The FlySpark Android and iPhone apps include the same explorer.

Can I try it without a log?

Yes. The demo opens a sample flight log with graphs and spectrum.

Related tools

• Chirp autotune for Betaflight PID tuning

  Turn a Betaflight CHIRP test flight into PID slider suggestions: frequency response, phase margin, delay and step response, in your browser or phone.

• Betaflight Configurator in your browser and on your phone

  Set up Betaflight in your browser or on Android: ports, PIDs, rates, OSD, modes, presets and CLI over USB or Bluetooth. Free, with a no-hardware demo.

• INAV Configurator for the browser and your phone

  Configure INAV planes, wings and multirotors in your browser or on Android: mixer, navigation, waypoint missions, programming and OSD. Free demo inside.

• ESC configurator for BLHeli_S, Bluejay and AM32

  Read and change BLHeli_S, Bluejay and AM32 ESC settings through your flight controller in Chrome or on Android. Flash ESC firmware and edit startup tunes.

See every FlySpark tool