ArduPilot SITL Docker Environment

This is a preconfigured Docker image that runs ArduCopter's Software-in-the-Loop (SITL) simulator (version v4.6.0-dev).

It starts at Bole International Airport (Addis Ababa) and includes DroneKit, MAVProxy, and all required dependencies.
You can connect using Mission Planner or write your own mission scripts using DroneKit-Python.

---

Default Launch Location

• Location: Bole International Airport (Addis Ababa, Ethiopia)
• Coordinates: 8.981458°, 38.795740°

This can be modified as needed.

---

What's Included

• ArduCopter v4.6.0-dev
• DroneKit-Python 2.9.2
• MAVProxy + pymavlink
• Ubuntu 20.04 base

---

Quick Start

1. Clone and Build

git clone https://github.com/surafelanshebo/ardupilot-sitl-docker.git
cd ardupilot-sitl-docker
docker build --no-cache -t sitl .

2. Run the Simulator

docker run --rm -it -p 14550:14550/udp sitl 
cd ardupilot
Tools/autotest/sim_vehicle.py -v ArduCopter -L Bole --console --map --out=udp:host.docker.internal:14550

Mission Planner will automatically connect on UDP port 14550.
Open Mission Planner and you should see the drone appear on the map centered at Bole International Airport.

---

Mission Planner Connection

When connected, Mission Planner will show the map like this:

Mission Planner showing SITL connection at Bole Airport

---

DroneKit Example

from dronekit import connect
vehicle = connect('udp:127.0.0.1:14550', wait_ready=True)
print("Connected to vehicle")

---