Align 3G - Hot off the press...

[Edvard R]

Received a nice present for Christmas this year - Santa showed up with the 1st Align FBL unit off the production line

Set up is ridiculously easy:

Contrary to other FBL systems, the Align system needs the radio in 120' swash mode.
Press the SET button while powering on - this brings you into the 1st setup phase. Here you set everything to zero. Adjust collective pitch to +/- 14' by adjusting the swash %. For cyclic, simply adjust the aileron cyclic pitch to +/-14', again by adjusting the swash %. Use the same swash % for elevator.
This completes phase 1.

Press the SET button to go to Phase 2 - setting the Elevator Limit. Simply move the elevator stick to full positive and negative travel.

Press the SET button to go to Phase 3 - setting the Elevator Direction. Check that the swash moves in the right direction. If not, reverse the direction by moving the stick to alternate the light from green to red (or vice versa)

Do the same for Aileron.

Swash done. Power off.

Power on (not holding the SET button). After power on, check that the swash moves in the right direction by tilting the heli. Swash moves in the opposite direction for both elevator and aileron.

Press the SET button for 3 seconds. This enters the tail setup. Simply set up the tail as you would the Align 760 tail gyro.

All done.

In the radio - set your roll rates by increasing or decreasing the swash %. Tail gyro gain is set like any other tail gyro.

Go fly.

The kit comes with a FBL head, sensor, control box, special servo wheels and a nifty "flybar" holder to check the pitch. At least you have a use for the flybars in your spare parts drawer...

Guys - this thing is the best thing since sliced bread. It flies awesomely. My only problem now is what to do with my SK360s and V-bars...

Here are some photos:

[aussiemick]

Awesome news.

I like the setup tool, or "fake flybar", get some use out of those spare flybars I am sure everyone has laying around.

Mick

[Andyzboy]

Looks sweet! Tthose two pots on the main unit are for the gain on the aileron and elevator controls, right?

[terrabit]

Edvard, could you please measure the distance between the centers of the link balls on the blade grips at zero pitch for me?

Thanks!

[flybar-les]

this looks very interesting !

i just bought myself a V-bar for my T500 but if i compare this align FBL unit the V-bar is very difficult to setup...

do you know a retail price yet ?

[Edvard R]

Originally Posted by terrabit

Hey, could you please measure the distance between the centers of the link balls on the blade grips at zero pitch for me?

Around 65.5 mm

Originally Posted by Andyzboy

Looks sweet! Tthose two pots on the main unit are for the gain on the aileron and elevator controls, right?

Yes - flew it on stock 12 o'clock setting first and only adjusted the elevator pot by a tiny bit

[Edvard R]

Originally Posted by flybar-les

this looks very interesting !

i just bought myself a V-bar for my T500 but if i compare this align FBL unit the V-bar is very difficult to setup...

do you know a retail price yet ?

As I know, the system only comes as a complete kit with FBL head. First available will be the 700 and 600 heads... Not sure what the price will be in the US, but the full kit will be very affordable... Did I mention the setup is easy? I am still tweaking my V-bar, but I am guessing it will just get replaced by this...

[terrabit]

Thank you! What's your impression so far? Have you flown the same or any heli with vbar? Any comparitive observations?

Edit: Nevermind on the vbar thing. I just read your post. Comparisons?

[Edvard R]

Flying it is simple - as it should be. It feels significantly more connected than a V-bar and a SK360. It feels as a fly bar, only much more responsive and with more control and power...

I have V-bars and SK360s for sale if anyone are interested...

[flybar-les]

Originally Posted by Edvard R

I have V-bars and SK360s for sale if anyone are interested...

lol

do you have any idea when align is planning to make/bring out the versions for the 500 and 450 ?

i'm interested in this system for my 450 PRO, if this FBL system from align is simpeler and cheaper then my V-bar then i'm willing to swith to the align FBL to on my 500 to !

[bahamadude]

That quick !
Are you sure you want to sell those units right away ?

Hey how about get some more flights in for a more fair report.
I do agree that technology does improves over time, especially when we have existing units out there already.

[tibtib]

Does it have a cyclic heading-hold behavior ?
or is it the same behavior as a mechanical flybar ?

I mean, does it for example compensate a gust of wind which would modify the helicopter tilt with a traditional flybar ?

[Edvard R]

Originally Posted by flybar-les

lol
do you have any idea when align is planning to make/bring out the versions for the 500 and 450 ?

Judging by how Align has introduced products before, I am guessing the other versions will be following shortly

Originally Posted by bahamadude

That quick !
Are you sure you want to sell those units right away ?

Hey how about get some more flights in for a more fair report.
I do agree that technology does improves over time, especially when we have existing units out there already.

For sure! - you're buying?

Originally Posted by tibtib

Does it have a cyclic heading-hold behavior ?
or is it the same behavior as a mechanical flybar ?

I mean, does it for example compensate a gust of wind which would modify the helicopter tilt with a traditional flybar ?

I haven't had a chance to fly it in really strong winds, and a 700 tends to be pretty stable as it is... It does track really well, but it moves around when you want it to. Have a look at the vids of Alan flying it - seems agile enough...

[syn90]

Has anyone ordered anything from RCheligears before. I checked them out and they are accepting preorders but it looks like they are not in the US. I really want to preorder these bad boys because it says they'll be in stock on Jan 8th and I should get them in a couple weeks after that I hope, so come February I could have both my trex600 and 700 converted and ready to go. But I am a little tenative as they will only allow me to pay via paypal and dealing with businesses outside the US can become a real drag. They have decent feedback on ebay. Are there any other sources to preorder from, or should I just wait until they are in stock here in the states?

[Edvard R]

At most, you will get it a few days early - I would get it locally unless the price difference is significant...

[MTBsuspEng]

Originally Posted by Edvard R

Flying it is simple - as it should be. It feels significantly more connected than a V-bar and a SK360. It feels as a fly bar, only much more responsive and with more control and power...

I have V-bars and SK360s for sale if anyone are interested...

how much do you want for your vbar(s)???

[dwesnor]

Does this thing have satellite Rx inputs or do you need a full receiver?

[syn90]

Ok, thanks for the advice Edvard R. I'll hang in there a little longer until I find someone here in the states that are stocking them. Man I can't wait!!

[rceccleston]

Originally Posted by dwesnor

Does this thing have satellite Rx inputs or do you need a full receiver?

It does not have an integrated receiver for wider compatibility, so connects via short leads to a full receiver.

[mapleleafs]

wow looks sweet can't wait to get one!