Align 3G - Hot off the press...

[Brett74]

For spares , stock feathering shaft and bearing and dampers ?

[Tail boom]

So lets figure out the heli is constantly drifting in a specific direction. Since on a gyro you must not use the trim function on your radio (Rudd trimm) i quess when it comes to drifting... you will need to solve the drifting issue by making adjustments at the linkage to the swashplate... is this correct ?

Greets Markus

As with a tail gyro, the swash setup needs to be set up mechanically correct, yes. The system takes care of the rest.

Hi,

I think Markus is referring to the Align FBL system as a 2-axis gyro (aside of the 3rd rudder axis), which runs exclusively in normal (i.e., rate) mode.

With a tail gyro, you need to adjust the tail linkage or use trim to eliminate any neutral drift in rate mode. So, if the Align FBL system is a rate mode FBL system, then Markus's question is, how to eliminate any "rolling or flipping drift"?

Does this make sense?

Thank you,
Frank

[Squenz]

Well i quess all flybarless systems act similar to a gyro in heading hold mode but on 2 / 3 axes. And just because of this i quess you must not use the trim function on your radio. Because in this case you would give rotation ratio input to the fbl system constantly!

So i dont see any other way than to adjust the linkage to the swashplate in case of drifting...

Greets Markus

[Ultraviolet]

In the following video with Alan Szabo you can clearly see some very serious issues with the Align 3G in the first 20 seconds of the video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qZWxKX_N1Cw&feature=player_embedded

Random kicks and jitters that are probably ocurring during the entire flight, but are very obvious during a hover.

If this is how the production versions fly then they are worth about $ 25.

:)

[Jimmy!]

That vid with Alan looks more like he is doing that, not the stab. system. It starts and stops, and when [he] is diong it, it's when the heli is in an almost stationary hover. I do the same thing when I do my first flight of the day just to get a feel for cyclic around center stick. Perhaps he is doing the same/similar thing. :dontknow

I doubt they would even release a unit that had that kind of issue. :roll:

[terrabit]

I wouldn't read too much into that. My 700 tail is a bit "loose" at low rpm with a standard gyro. I also suspect that there was some stick input there - like a test or something. For certain, if the production version is glitchy it won't be on the market long. It sure wouldn't last on any of my helis.

[Ultraviolet]

I disagree guys, the pilot was not doing that. It clearly looks like the stab system is outputting random cyclic commands.

This video is only 1 month old.

[gpach]

Coming out with a new product that has "deficiencies" is not the end of the world and happens a lot in this hobby. What makes all the difference is the support provided by the manufacturer both in giving instructions on its use, responding to on line forum concerns as well as correcting problems.

Align has a bit of a spotty past in this area. They had ESC's that would burst into flames and spent more time trying to blame everything around the esc than admitting and correcting the problem. That said, when the 250 came out with a design issue in the tail, they addressed and corrected the problem in a relatively short time.

Good,Bad or the same as the others, the align FBL is good for us all. The coolaid drinkers will now have their product to support. The rest of us will bennefit as this will put price pressure on the other FBL manufacturers.

[Tail boom]

Well i quess all flybarless systems act similar to a gyro in heading hold mode but on 2 / 3 axes. And just because of this i quess you must not use the trim function on your radio. Because in this case you would give rotation ratio input to the fbl system constantly!

So i dont see any other way than to adjust the linkage to the swashplate in case of drifting...

Greets Markus

Markus,

In that case, there is no need for linkage correction. As Edvard said, the gyro will take care of that (just like a heading hold tail gyro takes care of that for the tail).

Best,
Frank

[nyc863]

I wonder if all the top tier of 3d champs who have (up to now) frankly been pretty negative about FBL systems, I wonder if they will now pour praise on them, recommend them to everyone, fly with them in competition etc.

[TowPilot]

I wonder if all the top tier of 3d champs who have (up to now) frankly been pretty negative about FBL systems, I wonder if they will now pour praise on them, recommend them to everyone, fly with them in competition etc.

My guess is it depends on who is sponsoring them.

If a pilot is sponsored by Align, it is likely they would fly the Align FBL systems as one of their fleet and have good things to say. They would likely continue to fly fly bar versions and also have good things to say.

Other pilots would do the same for their sponsors is my guess.

[raptor50luvver]

If Alan was not doing that in the vids which i am sure he must have been then OH dear:YeaBaby:

Seriously though that has to be Alans inputs,they would be the laughing stock to other FBL manufacturers if they released a system with that kind of problem;.

To be honest the suspense is killing me...

[HiroboFreak]

Definitely looks like Alan's checking cyclic response & FBL gain settings to me.

[Ultraviolet]

Definitely looks like Alan's checking cyclic response & FBL gain settings to me.

Possibly.

Time will tell.

:)

[rceccleston]

Definitely looks like Alan's checking cyclic response & FBL gain settings to me.
+1

[kyalamikid]

Yep dont think he would launch into the high speed 2 meter off the ground hurricane if the heli was behaving that way....

Jeez he can fly!

[alan szabo jr]

I'll jump in here to clarify what was going on instead of people just having to guess. I did change the gains on the helicopter prior to that flight so I was just checking them really quick and I didnt know Adriano (camera man) was shooting this particular flight. I just thought he came out to watch me do a flight.

[HiroboFreak]

Well that clears that up!

Thanks Alan. :)

[Ultraviolet]

I'll jump in here to clarify what was going on instead of people just having to guess. I did change the gains on the helicopter prior to that flight so I was just checking them really quick and I didnt know Adriano (camera man) was shooting this particular flight. I just thought he came out to watch me do a flight.

Thanks for the clarification.

It just looked odd I guess.

The 3G will probably work great. I look forward to buying one after Align has had time to access customer input, and incorporate any needed modifications.

:)

[Ultraviolet]

Yep dont think he would launch into the high speed 2 meter off the ground hurricane if the heli was behaving that way....

Jeez he can fly!

LOL

I am excited at the prospect of low cost FBL systems just as much as the next guy.

I am just not going to rush out and place a preorder as of yet.


I'll wait until you give me some feedback. ;)

[HiroboFreak]

Mine should be here within the next fortnight.
Can't wait to try it out!

[Ultraviolet]

Give us your honest opinion after 20 flights or so.

[MarkFlysHelis]

I'll jump in here to clarify what was going on instead of people just having to guess. I did change the gains on the helicopter prior to that flight so I was just checking them really quick and I didnt know Adriano (camera man) was shooting this particular flight. I just thought he came out to watch me do a flight.


Pretty cool Alan jumped in here for that clarification. Sure would be nice if he would give a quick, concise review of this unit for us all.

Face it, That kid could fly a nun to a Metallica concert, But how is this unit going to work for mere mortals ?

[helis101]

I have freind who has the a V-Bar on his 700 he says i dosent feel locked in /sensative he cant do autos like the like the flybar version .

With the align flybarless will you be able to do autos better ,will it feel more locked in also do you need a computer to setup this system?

[HiroboFreak]

Give us your honest opinion after 20 flights or so.

I'm sure others will report their thoughts on the system.

I'll give my opinion after a couple of flights.
I don't fly a lot, 20 flights would take 10 weeks or more. :lol: