2009 Align Fun Fly
After my memorable trip to the Align fun fly last year, I was happy to attend this year's event earlier this month. The 6th annual Align Fun Fly and World Invitational happened over the Labor day weekend 9/5 to 9/6. This year Align managed to secure the decommissioned Taichung airport facility to host the event, and what a nice field it is. The huge space allowed for some spectacular flying by some of the top pilots. And being that this field is within easy access to major freeway, the spectator turnout was probably doubled of last year. There were food vendors and hobby shop setups in the vendor tent area, adding the festive carnival atmosphere to the intense competition at the flight line. Align also invited all T-Rex owners to bring their helicopters for display at the event. This resulted in probably the largest gathering of T-Rex helicopter ever.
Here are some of the photos I took and borrowed from the event. Enjoy!
Here are some of the photos I took and borrowed from the event. Enjoy!
Align GP-750 Heading Lock Gyro
The Align GP-750 heading lock gyro that is included in the new T-Rex 250 super combo kits has setup steps that differ with most other gyros on the market. In order to take advantage of its capabilities, correct options must be set according to the specific application. I will try to walk through the setup steps and explain each setting.
Similar to other gyros, when it is powered up, the LED will flash rapidly indicating initialization is in progress. Do not touch the gyro or helicopter at this point. Once the initialization process completes, the status LED will remain lit in green or red. Green indicates gyro is in heading lock mode, red means it’s in normal rate mode.
Before you start, it’s best to understand what each option means.
Similar to other gyros, when it is powered up, the LED will flash rapidly indicating initialization is in progress. Do not touch the gyro or helicopter at this point. Once the initialization process completes, the status LED will remain lit in green or red. Green indicates gyro is in heading lock mode, red means it’s in normal rate mode.
Before you start, it’s best to understand what each option means.
• 1520/760: This represents the frame rate of the rudder servo used. Most commonly used analog or digital servos use the 1520us frame rate. 760us rate is used specifically for high frequency servos such as Futaba 9256 and BLS251. If unsure, always set this option to 1520us to avoid burning out your servo. 1520us is also the factory default settings.The setup steps involve the use of your transmitter’s rudder stick and the “SET” button on the gyro. You basically cycle through the 5 options with the set button, and select the setting using the rudder stick.
• DS/AS: This sets the gyro for either Digital Servo or Analog Servo. DS is the factory default setting.
• NOR/REV: This sets the compensating direction for the gyro.
• Limit: This setting limits the rudder servo travel and is used to avoid binding in the tail linkage.
• Delay: This is the setting used to dampen the gyro compensating speed for slower servos that are unable to keep up, resulting in tail oscillation. There is also an imbedded setting for the size of helicopter used. Small includes 250/450 size, while large includes 500/600/700.
• To enter the setup mode, press and hold the SET button for 2 seconds until STATUS LED flashes.Below is the walk through of an example setup. Suppose you will be using this gyro on a T-Rex 250 with Align’s DS420 digital servo.
• While in setup mode, momentary press of the SET button will cycle through each of the settings.
• Select the setting by moving the transmitter rudder stick left or right, and observe the color of STATUS LED.
• When correct color is observed, press the SET button to memorize the setting.
• The gyro will exit the setup mode if left idle for 10 seconds.
2008 Align Fun Fly
In the few short years Align has been producing RC helicopters, they have cranked out more models than any helicopter manufacturers. While most are familiar with their T-Rex line of helicopters, few are aware of the annual fun fly they organize every year in Taiwan. The Align Fun Fly and 3D Invitational has become the premier 3D helicopter event in Asia, attracting contestants from all over the world. This year was no exception.
The 5th annual event took place on September 6-7 2008, at the Align company field 25 minutes away from their headquarter based in Taichung, central Taiwan. This year we saw top contestants and guests from all over the world including USA, Canada, China, Japan, Thailand, Korea, Indonesia, Singapore, Germany, France, Spain, UK, Switzerland, Australia, New Zealand, Russia, etc. Unlike other fun flies, Align was generously enough to cover all board, meals, ground transportation, and even a full day city tour for all contestants plus one guest. So basically all you have to do is buy a plane ticket for yourself and your significant other, and you are covered for 5 days and 4 nights! Even the funfly itself is free to enter. How is that for a nice heli vacation? And this Funfly is an open invitation to anybody who wishes to enter any one of the contests. So you don't have to be one of the top dogs to enjoy Align's hospitality.
Day 1 - Friday September 5: Arrival
Since there are guests arriving throughout the day, Align has constant shuttle buses going to the Taipei international airport (about 1 hour 40 minutes away) for pickups. All guests are dropped off at the Align headquarter where you get to meet the staff and take a tour of the facility. I am still amazed at how much they can crank out in this 5 stories factory.
After arriving at the office, we were greeted with snacks and drinks. There were work benches and DC power for contestants to unpack and assemble their helis. For those arriving earlier in the day, they were shuttled to the field for flight tests. If you or your significant other want to do some shopping, there is a Walmart like “Asia Go” store across the street. We dropped in to buy some souvenirs and kill time, and kill time we did; the store is huge! Later in the night all contestants and guests were treated to a Taiwanese feast at a restaurant across the street. There were so much food, most table couldn’t finish all the dishes. After dinner, we were hauled to the hotel in downtown Taichung (40 minutes away) to check in.
The Splendor hotel occupies a newly renovated 32 floor high-rise building in the heart of Taichung. Align intentionally picked this location so guests can do some shopping and city exploring during spare time. We were arranged with a room up in the 30th floor and the view was spectacular. The room was pretty big in size, nice and clean, had cable TV with many English speaking channels. Immediately across the street there was the high-end Sogo department store, along with a multi-story Louie Vuitton company store immediately next door, offering some great shopping options for those who do not wish to join you at the flying field. (Mention that to your significant other half when you try to convince them to come along.) Nearby are familiar US franchises such as McDonalds, Starbucks coffee, Chili’s, Ruth Chris steakhouse, and lots of 7-Elevens. There are also bars and nightclubs nearby in case you didn’t get worn out by a full day of flying. So no matter what your preferences are, Taichung offers something for everyone.
The 5th annual event took place on September 6-7 2008, at the Align company field 25 minutes away from their headquarter based in Taichung, central Taiwan. This year we saw top contestants and guests from all over the world including USA, Canada, China, Japan, Thailand, Korea, Indonesia, Singapore, Germany, France, Spain, UK, Switzerland, Australia, New Zealand, Russia, etc. Unlike other fun flies, Align was generously enough to cover all board, meals, ground transportation, and even a full day city tour for all contestants plus one guest. So basically all you have to do is buy a plane ticket for yourself and your significant other, and you are covered for 5 days and 4 nights! Even the funfly itself is free to enter. How is that for a nice heli vacation? And this Funfly is an open invitation to anybody who wishes to enter any one of the contests. So you don't have to be one of the top dogs to enjoy Align's hospitality.
Day 1 - Friday September 5: Arrival
Since there are guests arriving throughout the day, Align has constant shuttle buses going to the Taipei international airport (about 1 hour 40 minutes away) for pickups. All guests are dropped off at the Align headquarter where you get to meet the staff and take a tour of the facility. I am still amazed at how much they can crank out in this 5 stories factory.
After arriving at the office, we were greeted with snacks and drinks. There were work benches and DC power for contestants to unpack and assemble their helis. For those arriving earlier in the day, they were shuttled to the field for flight tests. If you or your significant other want to do some shopping, there is a Walmart like “Asia Go” store across the street. We dropped in to buy some souvenirs and kill time, and kill time we did; the store is huge! Later in the night all contestants and guests were treated to a Taiwanese feast at a restaurant across the street. There were so much food, most table couldn’t finish all the dishes. After dinner, we were hauled to the hotel in downtown Taichung (40 minutes away) to check in.
The Splendor hotel occupies a newly renovated 32 floor high-rise building in the heart of Taichung. Align intentionally picked this location so guests can do some shopping and city exploring during spare time. We were arranged with a room up in the 30th floor and the view was spectacular. The room was pretty big in size, nice and clean, had cable TV with many English speaking channels. Immediately across the street there was the high-end Sogo department store, along with a multi-story Louie Vuitton company store immediately next door, offering some great shopping options for those who do not wish to join you at the flying field. (Mention that to your significant other half when you try to convince them to come along.) Nearby are familiar US franchises such as McDonalds, Starbucks coffee, Chili’s, Ruth Chris steakhouse, and lots of 7-Elevens. There are also bars and nightclubs nearby in case you didn’t get worn out by a full day of flying. So no matter what your preferences are, Taichung offers something for everyone.
