The Align DFC helicopter has gained popularity in the last year and with that comes the need to point out some things that are easily over looked.
1. Don't forget to take the head completely apart, including the arms off the grips and remove all oil that may be on the head. And let me tell you, Align uses a LOT of oil on these parts. this also includes the feathering shaft, most importantly, the threads IN the feathering shaft. This goes for ALL heads.
2. Threading the plastic link onto the metal threads can be a challenge. I do NOT suggest that you chamfer the ends of the plastic link though. There is very little plastic that holds these things on and you don't want to remove any of it. Instead, take the aluminum arm off the head (if it's new, you need to remove it to clean the bolt and threads in the grip arm anyway) and use that to help you push the plastic link onto the threads while you twist. Both sides are clockwise threads so spin the plastic link just as you would any other nut. I wish they would put left handed threads on it somewhere to make infinite adjustments to the pitch possible, but it is what it is.
3. NOTHING IS THREAD LOCKED! Make sure you remove and clean every bolt on the head, grips and swash and put some thread locker on them. The bolts like the ones that go through the head block and main shaft/main gear and the blade bolts with nylon lock nuts do NOT need thread locker.
4. This is the one that a lot of people over look. I have been doing some reading on the DFC head, and more and more and more people are crashing because the links are coming apart. Remember to thread lock the threads going into the aluminum linkage arm. This will help them from backing out due to vibration. They shouldn't, but it could happen. More than likely it will be due to a stripped plastic linkage, but you can never be too safe with these things.
I hope these tips help you guys out. If you have anything else that you think could be put into the list, just post below and let me know what it is.
