25
Glossary of Terms
•
Pitch Axis
: The horizontal plane on which the
airplane’s nose is raised or lowered. By moving the
elevator, you can raise the airplane’s nose above the
pitch axis (climb) or lower it below the pitch axis (dive).
•
Pushrod
: The rigid mechanism that transfers
movement from the servo to the control surface.
•
Roll Axis
: The horizontal plane on which the airplane’s
wings are raised or lowered. By adjusting the ailerons,
you can drop a wing tip below the roll axis and cause
the airplane to bank or roll.
•
Rudder
: The hinged control surface on the vertical
stabilizer that controls the airplane’s yaw. Moving the
rudder to the left causes the airplane to yaw left; moving
the rudder to the right causes it to yaw right.
•
Servo
: The servo transforms your transmitter
commands into physical adjustments of the airplane.
•
Servo Output Arm
: A removable arm or wheel
that connects the servo to the pushrod (also called
servo horn).
•
Spinner
: Term describing the nose cone that covers
the propeller hub.
•
Threadlock
: A liquid that solidifies; used to prevent
screws from loosening due to vibration.
•
Torque Rods
: Inserted into the ailerons, these rigid
wire rods run along the wing’s trailing edge, then bend
downward and connect to the pushrod.
•
Vertical Stabilizer
: The vertical flying surface of the
tail gives an airplane stability while in flight.
•
Wheel Collar
: The round retaining piece that anchors
wheels in place on the wheel axle.
•
Wing
: The lifting surface of an airplane.
•
Yaw Axis
: The vertical plane through which the
airplane’s nose rotates as it yaws to the left or to the
right. The rudder controls the yaw axis.
•
Ailerons
: Each side of this airplane has a hinged
control surface (aileron), located on the trailing edge of
the wing. Move the aileron stick on the transmitter left;
the left aileron moves up and the right aileron moves
down. Moving the left aileron up causes more drag and
less lift, causing the left wing to drop down. When the
right aileron moves down, more lift is created, causing
the right wing to rise. This interaction causes the
airplane to turn or roll to the left. Perform the opposite
actions, and the airplane will roll to the right.
•
Clevis
: The clevis connects the wire end of the pushrod
to the control horn of the control surface. A small clip,
the clevis has fine threads so that you can adjust the
length of the pushrod.
•
Control Horn
: This arm connects the control surface
to the clevis and pushrod.
•
Dihedral
: The degree of angle (V-shaped bend)
at which the wings intersect the fuselage is called
dihedral. More dihedral gives an airplane more
aerodynamic stability. Some sailplanes and trainer
planes with large dihedral dispense with ailerons and
use only the rudder to control the roll and yaw.
•
Elevator
: The hinged control surface on the back of the
stabilizer that moves to control the airplane’s pitch axis.
Pulling the transmitter’s control stick toward the bottom
of the transmitter moves the elevator upward, and the
airplane begins to climb. Push the control stick forward,
and the airplane begins to dive.
•
Fuselage
: The main body of an airplane.
•
Hinge
: Flexible pieces used to connect the control
surface to the flying surface. All hinges must be
glued properly and securely to prevent the airplane
from crashing.
•
Horizontal Stabilizer
: The horizontal flying surface of
the tail gives the airplane stability while in flight.
•
Leading Edge
: The front of a flying surface.
•
Main Landing Gear
: The wheel and gear assembly
the airplane uses to land. It is attached to the bottom of
the fuselage.
