Max Gibson Companion Drone
Concept assembly guide derived from the staged build plan. Not a certified engineering drawing. Prices are estimates (Oct 2026); nothing here is a purchase. Every step and every BOM line links to the part. Downloads: step-by-step PDF · BOM PDF · original brochure PDF
Step-by-step build (one action per step)
Stage 1
- Unbox the Cetus Lite kit and charge both batteries.Part C1: BetaFPV Cetus Lite FPV Kit (drone, radio, goggles, 2 batteries, charger) ×1 · $109.99 · Buy: BetaFPV
- Bind the drone to the included radio.Part C1: BetaFPV Cetus Lite FPV Kit (drone, radio, goggles, 2 batteries, charger) ×1 · $109.99 · Buy: BetaFPV
- Plug the ROTG01 receiver into the Pi 4 USB port.Part C2: Eachine ROTG01 UVC 5.8 GHz USB receiver ×1 · $23.99 · Buy: Amazon search
- Set the ROTG01 to the drone's video channel; confirm it shows as a webcam.Part C2: Eachine ROTG01 UVC 5.8 GHz USB receiver ×1 · $23.99 · Buy: Amazon search
- Plug in the USB mini mic.Part C3: SunFounder USB mini mic ×1 · $8.59 · Buy: Amazon search
- Plug in the USB speaker.Part C4: Small USB-powered speaker ×1 · ~$12 · Buy: Amazon search
- (Optional) Use the EMEET M0 Plus instead of mic + speaker.Part C5: EMEET M0 Plus speakerphone (optional upgrade) ×1 · $49.98 · Buy: Amazon search
- Fly a short hover indoors in altitude-hold mode.Part C1: BetaFPV Cetus Lite FPV Kit (drone, radio, goggles, 2 batteries, charger) ×1 · $109.99 · Buy: BetaFPV
Stage 2
- Assemble the 3.5-inch frame arms and plates.Part C6: 3.5-inch frame + props ×1 · ~$33 · Buy: Amazon search
- Bolt one motor to each arm.Part C8: Brushless motors (3.5-inch class) ×4 · ~$50 · Buy: Amazon search
- Mount the F405 mini stack on the center standoffs.Part C7: ArduPilot F405 mini flight stack ×1 · ~$60 · Buy: Amazon search
- Solder motor leads to the ESC pads.Part C7: ArduPilot F405 mini flight stack ×1 · ~$60 · Buy: Amazon search
- Flash ArduPilot to the flight controller.Part C7: ArduPilot F405 mini flight stack ×1 · ~$60 · Buy: Amazon search
- Mount the M10Q GPS on a mast; wire to a UART.Part C10: Matek M10Q-5883 GPS ×1 · $42.99 · Buy: Boulder MultiRotor (Matek)
- Mount the TS5823 VTX + camera with mic.Part C11: EWRF TS5823 VTX + 1000TVL camera with mic ×1 · $31.31 · Buy: Amazon search
- Bind the ELRS receiver; wire to a UART.Part C13: ELRS radio + receiver (RadioMaster Pocket) ×1 · ~$80 · Buy: Amazon search
- Fit and register the Remote ID module.Part C14: Remote ID broadcast module ×1 · ~$35 · Buy: Amazon search
- Mount the ESP32 + amp + 2 W speaker.Part C15: ESP32 board + amp + 2 W speaker ×1 · ~$15 · Buy: Amazon search
- Replace the Stage 1 receiver with the ROTG01 Pro on the Pi.Part C12: ROTG01 Pro receiver with audio ×1 · $28.99 · Buy: Amazon search
- Charge the 4S packs and test return-to-home outdoors.Part C9: 4S 850 mAh batteries x2 + charger ×1 · ~$75 · Buy: Amazon search
- Fit the props last (check rotation direction).Part C6: 3.5-inch frame + props ×1 · ~$33 · Buy: Amazon search
Stage 3
- Continue with the Scout build steps.Part C16: Stage 3 = Grok Scout conversion (see Scout BOM) ×1 · ~$300 · Buy: Scout BOM
Bill of materials
| ID | Stage | Part | Qty | Price | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C1 | Stage 1 | BetaFPV Cetus Lite FPV Kit (drone, radio, goggles, 2 batteries, charger) | 1 | $109.99 | BetaFPV |
| C2 | Stage 1 | Eachine ROTG01 UVC 5.8 GHz USB receiver | 1 | $23.99 | Amazon search |
| C3 | Stage 1 | SunFounder USB mini mic | 1 | $8.59 | Amazon search |
| C4 | Stage 1 | Small USB-powered speaker | 1 | ~$12 | Amazon search |
| C5 | Stage 1 | EMEET M0 Plus speakerphone (optional upgrade) | 1 | $49.98 | Amazon search |
| C6 | Stage 2 | 3.5-inch frame + props | 1 | ~$33 | Amazon search |
| C7 | Stage 2 | ArduPilot F405 mini flight stack | 1 | ~$60 | Amazon search |
| C8 | Stage 2 | Brushless motors (3.5-inch class) | 4 | ~$50 | Amazon search |
| C9 | Stage 2 | 4S 850 mAh batteries x2 + charger | 1 | ~$75 | Amazon search |
| C10 | Stage 2 | Matek M10Q-5883 GPS | 1 | $42.99 | Boulder MultiRotor (Matek) |
| C11 | Stage 2 | EWRF TS5823 VTX + 1000TVL camera with mic | 1 | $31.31 | Amazon search |
| C12 | Stage 2 | ROTG01 Pro receiver with audio | 1 | $28.99 | Amazon search |
| C13 | Stage 2 | ELRS radio + receiver (RadioMaster Pocket) | 1 | ~$80 | Amazon search |
| C14 | Stage 2 | Remote ID broadcast module | 1 | ~$35 | Amazon search |
| C15 | Stage 2 | ESP32 board + amp + 2 W speaker | 1 | ~$15 | Amazon search |
| C16 | Stage 3 | Stage 3 = Grok Scout conversion (see Scout BOM) | 1 | ~$300 | Scout BOM |
"Amazon search" links open a search for that exact part spec; no listing has been chosen and no affiliate tag is used. Nothing has been purchased.