RC Model Planes: Basics

Anatomy of a Plane

Aileron-The hinged control surface on the back (trailing edge) of the wing furthest away from the fuselage. Servo power applied to the aileron makes the plane turn or roll.
Elevator-A hinged control surface connected to the back (trailing) edge of the horizontal stabilizer. Moving the elevator makes the plane climb or dive.
Engine-A mechanical device that provides flight power (thrust) by means of internal combustion. The two main types of engines in RC model planes are gasoline engines (which burn a mixture of gasoline and oil) and the more common glow engines (which burn a nitromethane fuel). Glow types include 2-stroke and 4-stroke engines.
Flap-The control surface on a wing closest to the fuselage. Moves up or down, to increase lift or drag.
Fuselage-The long, narrow body of a plane.
Glow Plug-The part of a glow engine which produces the heat needed to ignite glow fuel. In gasoline engines, spark plugs spark ignition .
Horizontal Stabilizer-The portion of the tail which control the plane’s up and down movement.
Landing Gear-The wheels and supporting structures on an airplane. The two main types are tricycle and taildragger gear.
Propeller-The whirling device on the plane which turns engine/motor power into thrust. May be carved from wood, or molded from reinforced plastic or nylon.
Pushrods-The rods that connect servos to movable parts of the plane.
Rudder- The hinged part of the vertical stabilizer that moves the plane’s tail to the right and left.
Servos-The radio components that do the physical work in an airplane, by moving rods that are connected to various parts of the plane.
Tail-The part of the airplane located on the rear of the fuselage. Includes both the Vertical Stabilizer and Horizontal Stabilizer.
Vertical Stabilizer -The portion of the tail that provides side-to-side stability.