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How to Set Up the Align Trex

On a typical aircraft, whether it's an airplane or a helicopter, there is a pre-flight checklist which pilots must complete before they can take off. A model RC aircraft should be no different, and the instruction manual (see References) for the Trex helicopters by the Agile corporation include a similar checklist. This checklist prevents crashes by making sure you have looked at the various flaps, gears and devices that are part of the helicopter's set-up.

Things You'll Need

Two wooden blocks
Red marker or tape

Instructions

- 1
  Remove the cockpit canopy and examine the aircraft. Look at the plastic gears and parts for signs of wear. Wiggle the screwed-in areas to make sure nothing is loose, and tighten anything that is. Examine closely for any cracked or damaged parts. Return the canopy cover.
- 2
  Examine the O-rings on the main rotors to make sure they haven't lost their elasticity. If they have, replace them immediately.
- 3
  Switch on the helicopter and remote control.
- 4
  Check the aerilons, levers and rudder by tilting the left and right control sticks in all four directions. The rotor should tilt, or the rudder should shift based on the stick you are twisting. Verify that all of the servos and parts tilt as they are supposed to.
- 5
  Remove the tail rotor and place it on a rod of some kind. Place it on a 3/4-inch gap between the two blocks and verify that it is balanced between them. Use tape to adjust the weight until the rotor is balanced again. Replace the rotor on the tail fin.
- 6
  Wrap the end of one rotor blade in tape, or draw a thick red line on it to mark it. This will help you check that the blades are in alignment.
- 7
  Ease the throttle upward so that the helicopter starts spinning but doesn't lift off the ground. Don't touch either of the control sticks. Watch the rotor blades to see if they tilt upward or downward. If they don't tilt at all, your helicopter is set up and ready for flight. If not, shut the rotor down.
- 8
  Unclip one of the linkage bars and turn it to lengthen or shorten it depending on the adjustment you need to make to even out the rotor. Re-test the rotor alignment and repeat until you have an even flight path.

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