FlySky's PA01 ProArt: The Gist

So, FlySky made a radio that looks like it escaped from a 1980s sci-fi film and landed squarely in the EdgeTX ecosystem. It’s called the PA01 ProArt, and it’s an interesting beast. Out of the box, it’s a loyalist to FlySky’s own AFHDS3 protocol. But with a bit of digital persuasion—a firmware flash, to be precise—you can convert it to the ExpressLRS camp. Don’t get too excited; this isn’t a casual affair. It’s a one-way trip until you decide to flash it all over again. Choose your allegiance wisely.

Aesthetically, it's all translucent plastic and RGB LEDs, a party trick that's surprisingly useful for finding your gear in the dark. Ergonomically, it’s a chunky game controller built for thumbers. The grips hide user-replaceable 18650s, the antenna does a clever little fold-and-twist, and the tiny sticks can be removed and stored. Just try not to lose them in the grass. Pinchers can make do, but it’s clear who this radio was designed for.

It’s not all glowing lights and ergonomic bliss, though. The screen isn't a touchscreen, and the button layout takes some getting used to. The gimbals are serviceable, not spectacular, and you'll need to open the case for basic adjustments like the throttle spring. Essentially, it's a solid, if slightly quirky, choice for quad pilots who want something that doesn't look like every other box on the field.

The takeaway? If you’re a thumber flying quads and you fancy a radio with a bit of personality, the PA01 is a strong contender. If you need a dozen switches or can't commit to a single internal RF protocol, you might want to keep looking. For the exhaustive, nitty-gritty details that we've so gracefully omitted, you can read the full Painless360 report. You know, if you're into that sort of thing.