FBL. My first experience

[Rctintin]

Great post and read Tim,

Been away all week, so was pleased to see you are liking you FBL experience.

Love the flying, I much prefur the slower easy to see and understand stuff than the balls out fast stuff you cant keep up with!

[robgt]

An update from my flight testing on my 600LF with Align 3G flybarless.
I remounted the sensor on the front gyro mount using "align pad - metal plate - thin white pad". Fitted the new servo wheels using the inner holes and then re-set up the system.

I have had to reduce Aileron and Elevator gain from the standard 12 o'clock setting to about 10 o'clock (or just under) to try and eliminate elevator bobbling (nodding).

Having spent some time tweaking and not getting the desired results, I finally decided to switch main rotor blades from the bundled Align 600D's to a set of Torsion 600mm blades. The difference was immediate. The bobbling about that I was seeing in a lot of the flight disappeared. It's not completely gone (I can still see it in forward flight and on harder stops etc) but it's close enough for me to not worry about it too much now.

Overall I think the system flies very much like a flybarred model. I can kaos on the spot with it and it just feels right to me. Piro wall of death is nice to do as well, although the tail just doesn't feel like the CSM 720. It has very little whippyness to it, but it is still there. A very big improvement on the rudder here IMO.
I flew a lot of my 3D moves and it just felt great, very locked in.
The way the heli tracks through the air is superb. When the 600LE was brand new, it felt like it flew perfectly straight - then the Align dampers go soft and the slight waywardness returns (I expect the same may happen with the new flybarless head, but we will see).

Autos feel no different to me - they work very well.

I seem to be developing a vibration on my 600 though, so I cannot rule out that as a source of any niggles I'm having currently. I would prefer to mount the sensor on the top of the front tail gearbox housing but I think a longer lead connecting the sensor to the main unit may be needed (or it might just reach if I move stuff about perhaps, we'll see). I have a feeling that the vibration is probably impacting the sensors performance with it being above the front two cyclic servos.

This being my first flybarless experience, I have to say I like it a lot!
Align's plug and play system is pretty much exactly that - easy to setup and feels much like a flybarred model. I intend on speeding up my cyclic response some more as although it is fairly fast now, I would like it a touch faster.

Cheers,
Rob

[mark lane]

Great Rob

I too turned down the gains a fair bit on the 700 to tryand dial out the slight bounce. As you have said its still there slightly and thats running 710SB's... i was going to try 690 radix and the suplied 690D's to see what they feel like but thats for next time out.

I suspect further tuning out of the bounce will be possible when the interface comes out but as you say its all pretty good out the box

The total loss of the slight not and its perfect IMO.

Glad to hear it held up well to your standard of flying too mate

Saving for a kit for my 600 too now.... will be easier to transport/maintain the helis in Corfu too mate with the FBL

[robgt]

I think heavier blades is the key here.
I will be getting some flybarless Torsion blades soon and hope to see the difference then

will be easier to transport/maintain the helis in Corfu too mate with the FBL

Too right mate
LOL
Cheers,
Rob

[ChrisB]

Bring those servo horn balls in and wave that bounce goodbye

[robgt]

There's nowhere further in for them to go on the supplied Align discs (they're on the inside hole now).
Do you suggest fitting shorter horns then?

Cheers,
Rob

[ChrisB]

Yep read Gravity Kills info,i have run mine with the V bar and Mikado say 10mm from centre on discs(2nd hole on Futaba).

V Bar flies good on it and Bugger me the Align system does too.

No bounce,cranked gain back up so locked better also. So in my case it was excess mechanical gain.

[sacko]

Pics of setup Chris?

[ChrisB]

Will take some tonight.

6 arm Futaba horns,2nd hole,10mm out from centre screw and redo setup as originally.

[robgt]

Thanks for the info Chris - I'll do that before I fly it again then (another setup, but worth it I reckon )

Cheers,
Rob

[mark lane]

Thanks for the info Chris - I'll do that before I fly it again then (another setup, but worth it I reckon )

Cheers,
Rob

Let us know how that goes Rob.... and what horns you will be using

I take it your running Align 610's?

[robgt]

I'll keep you updated
I think I have some Futaba star horns, or cross horns, so probably those on my 610 servos
Cheers,
Rob

[Smoothound]

More I read this thread the more I'd like to try this on my 500

[JohnJ]

More I read this thread the more I'd like to try this on my 500

Don't tell the Mrs but I ordered one last night for my 500, going to see how it goes and whether I can push the outfit sufficiently to warrant changing my 700 too.

I will have to deny all knowledge if anyone tells her indoors!!!!

John

[moonmanflyer]

My 700le is being fitted out with this from new, after flying Marks the weekend is a no brainer
[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Usyn0zVWSe8"]YouTube- James Moon stealing Mark's 700 FBL![/ame]
As discused a page or to ago, play it in high def and big screen and will see the rolling auto, was easy to auto