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airplane about the roll axis. The control direction is often
confusing to first time modelers. For a right roll or turn, the
right hand aileron is moved upward and the left hand aileron
downward, and vice versa for a left roll or turn.
Angle of Attack
- The angle that the wing penetrates the air.
As the angle of attack increases so does lift and drag, up to
a point.
ARF
- A prefabricated model - Almost Ready to Fly.
Buddy Box
- Two similar transmitters that are wired together
with a “trainer cord.” This is most useful when learning to fly —
it’s the same as having dual controls. The instructor can take
control by using the “trainer switch” on his transmitter.
Boring Holes in the Sky
- Having fun flying an R/C airplane,
without any pre-determined flight pattern.
CA
(Abbreviation for “Cyanoacrylate”) - An instant type glue
that is available in various viscosities (Thin, Medium, Thick,
and Gel). These glues are ideal for the assembly of wood
airplanes and other materials.
Note:
Most CA glues will attack
Styrofoam.
Carburetor
- The part of the engine which controls the speed
or throttle setting and lean/rich mixture via setting of the
needle valve.
CG
(“Center of Gravity”) - For modeling purposes, this is
usually considered — the point at which the airplane balances
fore to aft. This point is critical in regards to how the airplane
reacts in the air. A tail-heavy plane will be very snappy but
generally very unstable and susceptible to more frequent
stalls. If the airplane is nose heavy, it will tend to track better
and be less sensitive to control inputs, but, will generally drop
its nose when the throttle is reduced to idle. This makes the
plane more difficult to land since it takes more effort to hold the
nose up. A nose heavy airplane will have to come in faster to
land safely.
Charge Jack
- The plug receptacle of the switch harness into
which the charger is plugged to charge the airborne battery. An
expanded scale voltmeter (ESV) can also be plugged into it to
check battery voltage between flights. It is advisable to mount
the charge jack in an accessible area of the fuselage so an
ESV can be used without removing the wing.
Charger
- Device used to recharge batteries and usually
supplied with the radio if NiCd batteries are included.
Chicken Stick
- A hand-held stick used to “flip start” a model
airplane engine.
Clunk
- A weighted fuel pick-up used in a fuel tank to assure
the intake line is always in fuel.
Dead Stick
- A term used to describe unpowered flight (glide)
when the engine quits running.
Differential Throw
- Ailerons that are set up to deflect more in
the upward direction than downward are said to have
Differential Throw. The purpose is to counteract Adverse Yaw.
Dihedral
- The V-shaped bend in the wing. Typically, more
dihedral causes more aerodynamic stability in an airplane, and
causes the rudder to control both the roll and yaw axis. This is
why some trainers and sailplanes require only 3 channels of
radio control—i.e., having no ailerons.
Ding
- Minor dent or damage to the structure. Also, a nick in a
prop. Dinged props must be replaced.
Down Thrust
- Downward angle of the engine relative to the
centerline of the airplane. Down thrust helps overcome the
normal climbing tendency of flat bottom wings.
Electric Starter
- A hand-held electric motor used for starting
a model airplane engine. Usually powered by a 12-volt battery.
Elevator
- Hinged control surface located at the trailing edge
of the horizontal stabilizer, which provides control of the
airplane about the pitch axis and causes the airplane to climb
or dive. The correct direction of control is to pull the transmitter
elevator control stick back, toward the bottom of the
transmitter, to move the elevator upward, which causes the
airplane to climb, and vice versa to dive.
Epoxy
- A two-part resin/hardener glue that is extremely
strong. It is generally available in 6 and 30-minute formulas.
Used for critical points in the aircraft where high strength is
necessary.
Expanded Scale Voltmeter
(ESV) - Device used to read the
battery voltage of the on-board battery pack or transmitter
battery pack.
Field Charger
- A fast battery charger designed to work from a
12-volt power source, such as a car battery.
Flaps
- Hinged control surface located at the trailing edge of
the wing inboard of the ailerons. The flaps are lowered to
produce more aerodynamic lift from the wing, allowing a
slower takeoff and landing speed. Flaps are often found on
scale models, but usually not on basic trainers.
Flare
- The point during the landing approach in which the pilot
gives an increased amount of up elevator to smooth the
touchdown of the airplane.
Flight Box
- A special box used to hold and transport all
equipment used at the flying field.
Flight Pack
(or Airborne pack) - All of the radio equipment
installed in the airplane, i.e., Receiver, Servos, Battery, Switch
Harness.
Flutter
- A phenomenon whereby the elevator or aileron
control surface begins to oscillate violently in flight. This can
