How to Recycle Flight Controllers
The brain of the drone. Runs Betaflight, iNav, or ArduPilot firmware on STM32 processors. Common MCUs include F405, F722, and H743. Includes gyro, OSD chip, and various UARTs.
Safety Warnings
- USB connectors are fragile — do not force connections
- Conformal coating may need removal for inspection — we handle this
- ESD-sensitive components — handle by board edges, avoid touching chips
Preparation Steps
- 1Disconnect all peripherals (receiver, GPS, VTX, LED)
- 2Desolder battery lead and ESC connections
- 3Remove from stack and keep standoff hardware
- 4Export Betaflight CLI dump if possible (helps with testing)
- 5Note MCU type (F405 / F722 / H743) — higher MCUs have better value
Materials Recovered
| Material | Weight | Recovery Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Gold (connector plating, traces) | 0.1-0.3g | 95% |
| Copper (PCB layers, pads) | 10-18g | 90% |
| Silicon (MCU, gyro, OSD) | 1-3g | 85% |
| Tin (solder) | 2-3g | 80% |
Environmental Impact
1.2 kg per flight controller
CO₂ Avoided
45 liters per flight controller
Water Saved
40g per flight controller
Waste Diverted
What Flight Controllers Are Worth
| Condition | Price Range |
|---|---|
| Excellent | $12-$40 |
| Good | $8-$25 |
| Fair | $4-$15 |
| Parts Only | $2-$8 (material value) |
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you accept flight controllers with broken USB ports?
Yes. A broken USB port drops the FC to fair or parts-only condition, but the board still has material value and may be flashable via SWD/betaflight passthrough.
Which flight controllers are worth the most?
H743-based FCs command the highest prices ($25-$40), followed by F722 ($15-$30) and F405 ($12-$20). The MCU generation is the single biggest value driver.
Should I remove conformal coating before sending?
No — leave conformal coating in place. Our technicians remove it as needed during inspection. Removing it yourself risks damaging solder joints or pads.