Glossary of Model Aircraft Terms.
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Glossary of Aeromodelling Terms.


Model Aircraft Engines: Glossary

  • ABC. Engine where the piston and cylinder liner use a combination of
        aluminium, brass and chrome to give maximum compression at all temperatures.
        This desirable situation arising due to the equal expansion rate of these three metals.
  • BB. Ball Bearing engine. Engine with ball race bearings on the crankshaft to give less
        friction than a plain metal to metal bearing and therefore longer life and more power.
  • Carburettor. A device that produces a combustible mixture by mixing fuel with air.
  • Castor oil. Viscous oil mixed with the fuel, gives lubrication of moving parts.
  • Connecting rod. Connects the piston to the crankshaft.
  • Crankshaft. The shaft that coverts the vertical movement of the piston into rotation.
  • Cylinder. Where the fuel is compressed and ignited to produce the power stroke.
  • Cylinder head. Top of the cylinder, containing the glow plug or spark plug.
  • Diesel. Compression ignition engine, which runs on a kerosene based fuel with ether.
        Popular in Britain for a few years after World War Two due to the non availability
        of methanol for glow plug engines. Diesel engines were never popular in the
        USA where methanol was always in plentiful supply.
  • Four stroke. A system whereby the engine fires every other revolution
  • Glow Plug Engine. An engine that uses a platinum plug too ignite methanol fuel.
        Glow plug engines are actually medium compression diesel engines. See glow plug.
  • Glow fuel. Methanol mixed with lubricating oil and various ignition additives.
  • Glow plug. Plug fitted with a platinum element that ignites methanol by catalytic action.
  • Jet Turbine. Pure reaction engine in miniature operating as per full size.
  • Petrol. Used in spark ignition engines. Called Gas in the United States.
  • Piston. Moves up and down in the cylinder and delivers the power stroke to the
        crankshaft, via the connecting rod.
  • Propeller. Also known as the airscrew, pulls the airplane though the air.
  • Propeller Balancer. Balance device used to ensure that both prop blades have the
        same weight to avoid damaging vibration. A vital tool.
  • Pusher propeller. A reverse pitch airscrew used where an engine is rear mounted.
  • Radial Engine. An engine where the cylinders are set around a central crankshaft.
  • Schnuerle porting. High performance form of intake porting on a two-stroke engine.
  • Silencer. A device designed to restrict the engine sound to an acceptable level.
  • Spark ignition. System that uses an electrical spark to ignite the fuel, usually petrol.
  • Synthetic oil. Modern lubricating oil which has replaced castor oil in most disciplines.
  • Two stroke. A system whereby the engine fires on every revolution.
  • Tuned pipe. A cone shaped resonance pipe that augments the engine power. As used on
        two-stroke motorbikes. Originally developed for the V1 flying bomb.


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    Planes: Model Aeroplane Glossary.


  • Aerofoil. A cross-section of the wing taken at right angles to the span of the wing.
  • Airplanes. USA spelling where we use aeroplanes.
  • Aileron. Movable control surfaces on the wings which roll the plane to left or right.
  • Aileron differential. Set up where the downward moving Aileron moves a smaller
        distance than the upward moving surface. Lowering the downward Aileron too low
        creates induced drag and thus makes the wing skid rather than lift.
  • Aerobatic. A model capable of performing advanced manoeuvres in the air.
  • Aerobatic Trainer. Trainers with more advanced airfoils, more power,
        greater control movements and less inherant stability than a basic trainer.
  • A M A. Academy of Model Aeronautics.
        USA Governing Body for model airplane activities. See     ACADEMY OF MODEL AERONAUTICS USA
  • Anhedral. Where the aeroplane wings are set at an angle such that the tips are
        lower than the centre. Used on high wing aerobatic models. Full size see Harrier jet.
  • ARTF. Almost ready too fly. Now very popular way of buying models.
  • Aeromodelling. Overall name for model aircraft activities.
  • Aerodynamics. The science of flight.
  • Aspect ratio. The ratio between the span and the width, or chord, of the wing.
  • Ball Link. Pushrod connection with a link that "snaps" onto a ball on the output arm.
  • Balsa Wood. Very light wood but very strong. Once the only material used for model
        airplane constuction. Still used extensively in model aeroplanes and modelling in general
        but has been superseded by modern composites in many areas of aeromodelling.
  • Biplane. An aircraft with two main flying surfaces, or wings.
  • BARCS. British Association of Radio Control Soarers. All things glider.
        See BRITISH ASSOCIATION of RADIO CONTROLLED SOARERS
  • B M F A. British Model Flying Association.
        UK Governing Body for model aircraft activities. See BRITISH MODEL FLYING ASSOCIATION
  • Brain Fade. A mental state where you suddenly forget which way to move the controls.
        Happens for no known reason, even when you know you're a proficient flyer.
  • Brushless motors. Vastly superior model electic motors using the three phase
        system and no, radio interference causing, carbon brushes.
  • Bungee. Method of launching sailplanes using stretched elastic to give launch effort.
  • CA. Cyanoacrylate. Cyano. Instant glue available in various viscosities.
  • Canard. An aircraft where the tail plane is ahead of the main wing.
  • Centre of gravity. The lateral balance point of an aircraft.
  • CG: The balance point of the model. Beginners, it is vital that you do not move it.
  • Closed loop. A control surface operated by flexible wires under slight tension.
  • Cockpit. The part of the plane occupied by the pilot.
  • Control line. Model controlled by two long wires connected to a control handle.
  • Cowling. The part of the structure, which encloses the engine.
  • Dead stick. Term used by pilot to warn other flyers that the engine has stopped.
  • Delta. Aircraft with a triangular wing. Concorde for example.
  • Dihedral. Where the wing tips are higher than the centre of the wing. A shallow V.
        Gives pendulum stability. The actual degree of angle varies from design to design.
  • Down thrust. A downwards tilt to the engine to counteract excessive wing lift.
  • Drag. Resistance to the forward motion of the model through the air.
  • Dumb Thumb. See Brain Fade.
  • Electric power. Models utilising rechargeable batteries to power electric motors.
  • Elevator. Movable control surfaces on the tail plane. Moves up or down to alter the
        angle of incidence (or of attack) of the wing. Also controls airspeed.
  • Elevons. Used on delta wings and flying wings, the ailerons also acting as elevators.
  • Epoxy Resin Adhesive. A two part, resin hardener glue that is extremely strong.
        It is available in various types from instant to 24 hour curing.
  • Epoxy glass. Fibreglass coated with epoxy for a very stong covering.
  • Fin. The fixed vertical element of the tail plane cluster.
  • Final Approach. The landing part of the flight when lining up with the runway.
  • Firewall. A main bulkhead in the fuselage to which the engine is attached.
  • Flaps. Control surfaces on the wing which increase the drag to lower the speed.
  • Free flight. Models flown without any remote control system. Still popular despite R C.
  • Flight Box. Container used to transport all the equipment used at the flying field.
        Sometimes incorporates a model stand for starting and at-the-field, maintainance.
  • Fun flyer. Model capable of performing seemingley impossible gyrations in the air.
        This being achieved by a very high power to weight ratio and control surfaces often
        up to 45% of total flying surface area.
  • Fuel Proofer. Impervious coating for model aircraft surfaces to ensure that raw fuel
        and oil does not seep into the internal structure and cause damage.
  • Fuselage. The main body of the aeroplane. Acting as an anchor point for the
        flying surfaces and propulsion units.
  • Glitch. Intermittent malfunctioning of R C system due to possible radio interference
        or possibly metal to metal generated electrical interference on the plane itself. Can be
        particularly bad where a metal to metal connection is used on the throttle connection.
  • Gravity. The constant enemy of model flight, comes in the form of excess weight.
  • Ground Effect. The cushioning of the air against the ground as the aircraft comes in
        to land, increases lift and prolongs the glide, sometimes past the end of the runway.
        Not a good state of affairs. Poses major problems for trainee model helicopter pilots,
        transfering from and to ground effect in the hover.
  • Ground Loop. Where the aircraft performs a complete circle on the runway,
        often due to side winds. Tail draggers are more prone to this condition.
  • Gyro. Controls the tail swing on a helicopter by adjusting the pitch of the tail rotor
        blades as it senses movement. Its introduction transformed model helicopter flying.
  • Hand launch. Whereby the plane is released from the hand.
  • Hanger Rash. Damage inflicted on the airframe during transit to and from the flying site.
  • Hanger Queen. Model which is built and all ready to fly but is never actually flown
        usually due to extreme fear of the possible impending disaster.
  • Helicopter: Rotating wing (or blades) flying machine. Dirty word in fixed wing clubs.
  • High Wing. Aircraft with the wings mounted on the top of the fuselage.
  • Incidence. The angle of the wing relative to the fuselage center or datum line.
  • Inverted. Flying the aeroplane upside down, or wrong way up, if you wish.
  • Jetex. Proprietary name for simple form of jet propulsion unit using dry pellets of fuel
        as used in World War 2 rocket propelled shells. Popular in jet models in the 1950's.
        See     JETEX ARCHIVE PAGE There are loads of other sites featuring Jetex model engines.

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    Continue Model Aircraft Glossary.


  • LMA. Large Model Association. Large means large. See. LARGE MODEL ASSOCIATION
  • Loop. Basic aerobatic manoeuvre in the vertical plane.
  • Low Wing. Aircraft with the wings mounted on the bottom of the fuselage.
  • Mid air. Colloquial name for an airborne collision between two models
  • Mid Wing. Model with the wing situated on the center line of the fuselage.
  • Monoplane. An aircraft with one main flying surface, or wing.
  • Muffler. Another word for exhaust silencer. see Engines, Silencer.
  • Neutral stability. A desirable set up on aerobatic models giving accurate responce to
        control inputs. Exactly opposite to trainers, which have built in stability.
  • One point landing. Colloquial term for an often terminal dive into terra firma.
  • Overshoot. Where an attempted landing has to be aborted due to various factors, eg,
        people on the runway, plane on runway, approach too high, usually followed by a
        circuit and further landing attempt.
  • Parasol Wing. Wing mounted above the fuselage on struts.
  • Park Flyer. Very small, very light R C models, electric powered, flown in small areas
        and indoor. Please note, insurance is still advisable.
  • Pattern plane. A class of aerobatic plane designed to fly set aerial patterns.
  • Polyhedral. Type of dihedral with more than one angle break in the wing.
  • Port Wing: Left wing, facing forward.
  • Push rods. Used to transmit movement from servos to control surfaces.
  • Quick link. Spring loaded detachable links used on pushrods.
  • R C. Radio Control.
  • R O G. Rise off ground.
  • Re-Kitting. Colloquial term for the wreckage left after a terminal dive into terra firma.
  • Roll. Basic aerobatic manoeuvre in the horizontal plane.
  • Rudder. Movable control surface on the fin, mostly used to correct direction.
  • SAA. Scottish Aeromodellers Association. See SCOTTISH AEROMODELLERS ASSOCIATION
  • Sailplane. High performance form of glider.
  • Scale Model. Accurate reproduction of full size prototype. Source of great debate.
  • Semi scale. Model giving the feel of a scale model but not accurate in every detail.
  • Shot down. Term to describe your plane crashing due to radio interference. Can be an
        outside source, but more often some other flyer switching-on, on your frequency.
  • Slope soarer. Specialised glider which uses hillside slope lift to remain aloft.
  • Slow Flyer. See Park Flyer.
  • Solo. Your first totally unassisted flight with a controlled take off and landing.
  • Sport scale. Models designed to look like scale models but with easy flying ability.
  • Sports models. Models designed for general flying ability and good all round use.
  • Stall. A complete loss of lift, due to various aerodynamic factors.
  • STOL. Aircraft with special wings equipped with lift enhancing flaps and slats etc
        to give Short Take Off and Landing.
  • Starboard Wing: Right wing, facing forward.
  • Tail dragger. Plane with single tail wheel and two main wheels.
  • Tail plane. Fixed horizontal tail surface of an aeroplane.
  • T Tail. Where the tailplane is mounted on top of the fin.
  • Thermal. A rising column of warm air capable of lifting gliders to a great hight.
  • Thread Lock. Type of adhesive which locks up the thread of nuts and bolts in
        conditions where vibration is prevalent. Helicopters being a case in point.
  • Tip stall. Loss of lift at one wing tip, not a desirable situation the wing tip stalling
        drops suddenly and can turn the plane into a dive.
  • Touch and go. Landing and taking off again without stopping. Useful skill.
  • Trainer. Model designed with inbuilt stability to give beginners thinking time.
  • Tri-plane. An aircraft with three main flying surfaces, or wings.
  • Trike. Aircraft with a single nose wheel and two main wheels.
  • Tyro. Posh term for beginner.
  • Undercamber. Concave curve on the underside of some aerofoils. Very little used in
        R C applications due to very narrow speed range. Still popular in free flight models.
  • Undercarriage. Arrangement of wheels to support the aircraft on the ground.
  • Vortices. Drag inducing rotating currents of air at the wing tip caused by the pressure
        differential of the air flowing over the top and lower surfaces of the wing.
  • V Tail. Where the tailplane and fin are combined into a single V structure.
  • Warp. Unwanted twist in an intended flat wing surface. At the worst can spell disaster,
        at the best can lead to some very interesting variations in the flight pattern.
  • Wash-out. A setup where the angle of attack of the wing at the tips is less than
        at the wing centre. This helps prevent tip stalling and subsequent loss of control.
  • Winch. Used to launch model sailplanes to a great height. Usually electric powered.
  • Wing. The main supporting surface of the aircraft. Can take many planforms.
  • Wing Chord. The distance from the leading edge to the trailing edge.
  • Wing Loading. The ratio of the aircraft weight to the area of the wing lifting surface.
  • Z-Bend. Z-shaped bend in the wire end of a pushrod, used to attach the pushrod
        to a servo output arm.

  • Z-Bend pliers. Special pliers to form the above Z-bend in piano wire

    Remember, with model aircraft; Take-offs are optional, landings are mandatory.

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    Radio control systems: Radios. Glossary.


  • AM. Amplitude Modulation. Simple system which modulates the actual radio wave.
  • FM. Frequency Modulation. Signal is in a modulated series of discharges.
  • PCM. Pulse Code Modulation. Signal is in binary code.
  • Aerial. Used too radiate the signal from the Tx and to receive the signal on the Rx.
  • Analog. Simple basic transmitted signal.
  • Antenna. Posh word for aerial.
  • Battery. The source of electrical power for the radio.
  • BEC. Battery elimination circuit. Electric motor speed controller that eliminates the
        need for a seperate Rx battery by deriving radio power from the main power battery.
  • Buddy box. System used in trainee pilot instruction too link pupil Tx: and instructor
        Tx: together by means of an umbilical cord. Loved by some instructors, but often
        claimed by others too give false confidence. Standard facility on most Transmitters.
  • Computer radio. Radio transmitter with electronically programmable set up of
        control movements and then storing each model set-up in a seperate memory.
  • Crystals. A device which controls the radiated, radio frequency of the transmitter.
        The receiver also has its own matching crystal. All crystals carry a channel number.
        There are 36 channels available on the standard model aircraft band of 35MHz.
  • DEAC. Button cells. Early generic name for nicads.
  • Digital. Signal transmitted in binary code.
  • Dual rates. A system that enables two different settings of a control surface movement.
  • Fail-safe. A system, which cuts the engine and sets the flying controls to a
        predetermined setting, if signal is lost. Mandatory on models over a certain weight.
  • Frequency. The waveband of the radio signal being transmitted to the aeroplane.
  • Frequency pennant. A visual indication on the TX of the frequency being used by flyer.
  • Glitch. Intermittent malfunctioning of R C system due to possible radio interference.
  • Lithium Polymer. Lithium Iron. High density, high energy, cells, as used in mobile
        phones. Available for model use but best left to the expert due to their unstable nature.
  • Mixer. Mixes two or more of the basic controls too give improved control functions.
  • Modes. The distribution of the basic four controls on the two transmitter sticks.
  • Nicads. Nickel Cadmium. Type of rechargeable battery used on transmitter
        and receiver; as the power source. Also used in electric powered model aeroplanes.
  • Nickel metal hydride. NiMH. Similar too nicads but greater duration of operation.
  • Peg board. Physical system used to prevent two flyers operating on the same frequency.
  • Rx. Shorthand for receiver.
  • Rate switch. Electronically reduces the throw of a control surface. Prevents
        over control in slow speed situations, landing, etc;
  • Receiver. Airborne link of the system that turns the radio signal into electrical pulses.
  • Servo. Turns the electrical pulse from the receiver into mechanical movement.
  • Speed controllers. Electronically control the speed of an electric motor.
  • Sticks. The two primary mechanical control functions on the transmitter.
  • Tx. Shorthand for transmitter.
  • Trainer lead. Trainer cord. See Buddy Box.
  • Transmitter. The ground-based part of the radio system transmitting the control signal.
  • UHF. Ultra High Frequency. Excellent, interference free waveband, but now
        nearly defunct R C system, demise due to very high unit cost.


    • Wing walker. Someone who treads on the wing of your brand new model.

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    Online Glossary of Model Aeroplane and Aeromodelling terms.
    Model Aircraft Terminology made easy with RR Bentley Model Flying Club Glossary.
    Model Aircraft Definition. The above help and information is for leisure use only.
    Not an Encyclopaedia or a Dictionary on the net, just a basic help for the beginner.
    Beginners questions answered in easy to use ABC glossary form

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