How to Export Blackbox Logs

Learn how to export Blackbox flight log files from your flight controller for analysis

Why Export Blackbox Logs?

Blackbox logs record all critical data from your drone during flight, including gyro readings, PID control outputs, motor speeds, and more. By analyzing this data, you can:

  • Optimize PID parameters to improve flight performance
  • Diagnose flight issues like oscillations and propwash
  • Understand flight characteristics and improve piloting skills

This tutorial will teach you how to quickly export Blackbox log files. The entire process takes only 5 minutes.

Preparation

Required Software

Download and install Betaflight Configurator (official configuration tool)

Visit betaflight.com to download the latest version

Check Flight Controller Configuration

  • Confirm your flight controller has an SD card slot or onboard flash
  • Enable Blackbox recording in Betaflight configuration
  • Ensure sufficient storage space (recommend at least 100MB)

Prepare Connection Cable

Prepare a USB data cable (Micro-USB or USB-C, depending on your flight controller)

What is a Blackbox Log?

Blackbox logs are detailed flight data recorded by the flight controller, including gyro, accelerometer, motor outputs, and more. This data is crucial for analyzing flight performance and tuning PID parameters.

1

Connect Flight Controller to Betaflight Configurator

Connect your flight controller to your computer using a USB cable, open Betaflight Configurator and click the Connect button.

Connect flight controller to Betaflight Configurator
2

Export Log Files

Choose the export method based on your storage type:

SD Card Storage

If using SD card, directly copy .bbl or .bfl files from the card

Onboard Flash

If using onboard flash, click Save Flash to File button to export

Export Blackbox log files

Supported File Formats

  • .bbl- Blackbox binary log file
  • .bfl- Blackbox flash log file
  • .txt- Converted text format log

Best Practices

Record High-Quality Logs

  • Recording duration: Recommend 30-60 seconds of flight data including hover, forward flight, and basic maneuvers
  • Flight conditions: Choose calm or light wind weather to avoid extreme conditions affecting data quality
  • Flight maneuvers: Include different throttle positions, turns, and pitch movements for comprehensive flight characteristics

Storage Management

  • SD card: Recommend high-speed SD cards (Class 10 or UHS-I) to avoid write delays
  • Space management: Regularly clean old logs, maintain at least 200MB free space
  • Data backup: Back up important flight logs to computer to avoid accidental loss

Analysis Preparation

  • File naming: Use meaningful filenames like "5inch_freestyle_20260113.bbl"
  • Flight notes: Record issues and feelings during flight to help AI analyze more accurately
  • Multiple flights: If issues are inconsistent, upload multiple logs for comparison

Next Steps

After successfully exporting Blackbox logs, you can:

Upload to FPVTune for AI Analysis

Let AI analyze your flight data, identify issues, and generate optimized PID settings

Start Analysis →

View with Blackbox Explorer

Official Betaflight tool to visualize flight data and waveforms

Download Blackbox Explorer →

Learn PID Tuning Basics

Understand PID parameter meanings and tuning principles to improve flying skills

View Tuning Documentation →

FAQ

Why is there no Blackbox data?

First check if Blackbox recording is enabled in flight controller configuration. Go to Blackbox tab in Betaflight Configurator and ensure recording is enabled. Second, check if storage media (SD card or onboard flash) has sufficient space. If using SD card, ensure it's properly inserted and formatted as FAT32.

File too large to upload?

FPVTune supports log files up to 50MB. If file is too large, use Blackbox Explorer to open the log and export only the time segment you need to analyze. Or record shorter flights (30-60 seconds is sufficient) to avoid large files from long recordings.

Which flight controller firmware is supported?

FPVTune supports Blackbox logs from Betaflight 4.0+, INAV 2.0+, EmuFlight, and other mainstream firmware. Different firmware have slightly different log formats, but all can be correctly recognized and analyzed.

SD card read failure?

If SD card cannot be read, try: 1) Re-insert SD card; 2) Format as FAT32 on computer; 3) Replace with high-quality SD card (recommend SanDisk or Samsung); 4) Check if flight controller SD card slot has dust or damage.

Onboard flash export is slow?

Onboard flash read speed is usually slower than SD card, this is normal. Export may take several minutes, please be patient. If you frequently need to export logs, recommend using SD card storage for faster read speeds and larger capacity.

Log file corrupted and won't open?

Log corruption usually occurs due to power loss during flight or storage media failure. Try using Blackbox Explorer's repair function, or re-record a complete flight. To avoid corruption, wait a few seconds after flight ends before powering off to let data fully write.