user4018: I'm a newbie on the all Arduino platform and I'm currently building a drone with Autopilot functionality. I've heard about ArduPilot and I'm wondering if that is all I need, in terms of controllers (I'm excluding the ESC, engines, and the rest). Can I simply program the ArduPilot, connect a Wireless interface to it and merrily be able to control it ?
Cheers,
r 

user4021: There are a few key points worth making before answering your question:

Ardupilot has undergone a re-branding and is now known as APM; this change was made to reflect that the technology has grown beyond strictly using an Arduino environment. You can see this for yourself at their website.
The term(s) Ardupilot/APM have been used somewhat interchangeably for both the hardware and software. This can be confusing so I'll refer to the hardware as an "APM Kit"

Can I simply program the ArduPilot, connect a Wireless interface to it and merrily be able to control it ?
Yes, 3DRobotics offers APM Kits that are plug-and-play hardware packages with preloaded firmware. They (optionally) supply all of the components needed to operate a small unmanned hobby aircraft including:

Power module
Transmitter and receiver for the APM-to-Ground-Station link
GPS module w/ compass

The user is generally expected to provide:

Airframe
Batteries
Servos
RC transmitter and receiver
An additional voltage-regulator/BEC if using high-torque servos
A computer (groundstation)

However, the unspoken question is:
How easy is it to setup Ardupilot/APM to work safely and correctly?
In truth, it takes considerable effort to put together a properly working system. The plug-and-play hardware saves you a great deal of trouble but tuning and operating an RC aircraft requires a different skillset. If you're experienced in RC, this may not be a problem.
From experience, you can expect to spend a number of weekends configuring and tuning APM (the software) even if you have a perfectly tuned RC aircraft. 

4018: <p>I'm a newbie on the all Arduino platform and I'm currently building a drone with Autopilot functionality. I've heard about ArduPilot and I'm wondering if that is all I need, in terms of controllers (I'm excluding the ESC, engines, and the rest). Can I simply program the ArduPilot, connect a Wireless interface to it and merrily be able to control it ?</p>

<p>Cheers,
r </p>
 4021: <p>There are a few key points worth making before answering your question:</p>

<ul>
<li><strong>Ardupilot</strong> has undergone a re-branding and is now known as <strong>APM</strong>; this change was made to reflect that the technology has grown beyond strictly using an Arduino environment. You can see this for yourself at <a href="http://ardupilot.com/" rel="nofollow">their website</a>.</li>
<li>The term(s) Ardupilot/APM have been used somewhat interchangeably for both the hardware and software. This can be confusing so I'll refer to the hardware as an "APM Kit"</li>
</ul>

<p><strong>Can I simply program the ArduPilot, connect a Wireless interface to it and merrily be able to control it ?</strong></p>

<p>Yes, <a href="http://store.3drobotics.com/t/parts/autopilots" rel="nofollow">3DRobotics</a> offers APM Kits that are plug-and-play hardware packages with preloaded firmware. They (optionally) supply all of the components needed to operate a small unmanned hobby aircraft including:</p>

<ul>
<li>Power module</li>
<li>Transmitter and receiver for the APM-to-Ground-Station link</li>
<li>GPS module w/ compass</li>
</ul>

<p>The user is generally expected to provide:</p>

<ul>
<li>Airframe</li>
<li>Batteries</li>
<li>Servos</li>
<li>RC transmitter and receiver</li>
<li>An additional voltage-regulator/BEC if using high-torque servos</li>
<li>A computer (groundstation)</li>
</ul>

<p>However, the unspoken question is:</p>

<p><strong>How easy is it to setup Ardupilot/APM to work safely and correctly?</strong></p>

<p>In truth, it takes considerable effort to put together a properly working system. The plug-and-play hardware saves you a great deal of trouble but tuning and operating an RC aircraft requires a different skillset. If you're experienced in RC, this <em>may</em> not be a problem.</p>

<p>From experience, you can expect to spend a number of weekends configuring and tuning APM (the software) even if you have a perfectly tuned RC aircraft. </p>
