Great Planes PT-40 MkII Kit - GPMA0118 - Manual (Page 58)

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.
Chamfer – To slightly round-off or bevel a corner.
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 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 rudder 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.
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