thanks guys for the input. just figured out the problem. before....idle up was combine with HH was setup with the align 35x esc. the programming for the esc is that at full throttle it will go into program mode. and to make the gy401 to work properly you have to start up on head hold mode. when i start up my idle up is engage and the esc thinks i want to go into programming mode. was that switch combo doesn't work. i tried to fly it start up in normal then switched to head hold with idle up and the tail will not hold because head hold didn't know where center was.

here's the solution.....change the gyro switch to a different switch. my gyro switch is now moved to the left switch used for elevator dual rates. perfect.
Now when i power up i'm in normal mode (idle up off) the switch i assigned the gyro is switched to head hold. just flew a pack of thunderpower and its holds beautifully. i still need to adjust the tail slider a little so i don't get any binding.

it all boils down to this boys and girls............you have to inititalize the gy401 on head hold for it to work properly.

so now my project is complete. EXI 450

equipment:

justGOFly 450F 11T
align 35x esc
HS65MG cyclic
s9650 tail servo
gy401 gyro
led carbon fiber 325's main rotors
carbon tail rotor
thunderpower 2200mah 25c
dx6