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
sometimes cause the surface to break away from the
aircraft and cause a crash. There are many reasons for this,
but the most common are excessive hinge gap or excessive
“slop” in the pushrod connections and control horns. If you
ever hear a low-pitched buzzing sound, reduce throttle and
land immediately.
Frequency Control - The FCC has allowed the 72MHz
band to be used for R/C aircraft operations. This band is
divided up into many different channels in which you can
choose a radio system. You should be aware that certain
areas have frequencies in which there is pager interference.
This is why it is always a wise move to check with your local
hobby shop to find out any channels that may be
troublesome in the area you wish to fly.
Fuel Overflow Line (Vent) - The fuel line is either open to
atmospheric pressure or attaches to the muffler pressure
nipple to pressurize the fuel tank for better fuel flow to the
engine. This is the line through which the fuel will overflow
when the tank is full.
Fuel Pick Up-Line - The fuel line in the fuel tank through
which fuel travels to the carburetor. Typically a flexible tube
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