Setting Up INAV on a Fixed-Wing Plane (Matek Boards)

INAV flight controller wired up

How I bring up a new INAV-based fixed-wing build: choosing the flight controller, installing the configurator, flashing the board over DFU, and starting from a clean slate.

Current versions (2026): INAV firmware 9.0.x ("Gallant Goshawk" generation) with INAV Configurator 9.0.x. Configurator and firmware versions must match the major version — don't connect a 9.x configurator to an 8.x board (or vice versa).

1. Choose a Compatible Flight Controller

I default to Matek Systems boards — they're well-supported in INAV, have clean documentation, and the H7-class boards (H743 family) give plenty of headroom for the new INAV 9 features.

Browse boards: mateksys.com · Full INAV-supported board list: INAV wiki — Boards

2. Install INAV Configurator

Get the latest stable Configurator that matches the firmware you plan to flash:

INAV Configurator — GitHub releases

  • Windows 64-bit → win64
  • macOS Apple Silicon → MacOS_arm64
  • macOS Intel → MacOS_x64
  • Linux → linux_x64 or linux_arm64

On macOS, after first install, run this once to clear quarantine:

xattr -cr "/Applications/INAV Configurator.app"

3. Flash the Flight Controller (DFU mode)

To flash, the board must be in DFU mode:

  1. Hold the BOOT button on the FC.
  2. Plug in USB while holding it.
  3. Release after a second or two.

If Windows doesn't see the device as DFU, install/repair the drivers:

Then in Configurator → Firmware Flasher tab, pick your target, enable Full Chip Erase, click Flash Firmware.

4. Start From a Clean Slate

I always start with a fresh model — no leftover settings.

  • Configurator runs the new Setup Wizard after you pick an aircraft preset (since 8.x). Use it — it gets receiver, GPS port and protocol right out of the box.
  • If you're upgrading an existing model, use diff all in CLI to back up your config first. The MrD-RC INAV CLI Update Tool can convert old diffs to current versions.

What I Configure Next

Order I usually follow for a fixed wing:

  1. Receiver (protocol, channel mapping)
  2. Ports (UARTs for receiver, GPS, telemetry, OSD)
  3. Modes (arm switch, flight modes)
  4. Mixer / servos (centering, end-points, reverse)
  5. OSD layout (battery, RSSI, altitude, home distance)
  6. Failsafe

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