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RC Aircraft Glossary
From Aileron, Collective, and Elevator to Rudder and Yaw, these are some of the words you will hear to descibe the world of RC airplanes and helicopters. If you ever wondered what some of these terms mean explore the RC Aircraft glossary to find out.
These are just the briefest of definitions of Radio Controlled Vehicle Aircraft terminology from A-Z. For a much more detailed description see the individual page for each term. These are terms that apply primarily to RC aircraft. For a wider selection of general RC terminology, see the main glossary or its individual pages:
A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X Y Z
These are just the briefest of definitions of Radio Controlled Vehicle Aircraft terminology from A-Z. For a much more detailed description see the individual page for each term. These are terms that apply primarily to RC aircraft. For a wider selection of general RC terminology, see the main glossary or its individual pages:
A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X Y Z
2.4GHz
RC frequency without interference
50MHz
Frequency for ham radio operators with RCs...
72MHz
RC aircraft frequency
Actuator
A little hinge for lightweight control...
Adverse Yaw
Drag on the ailerons of aircraft create adverse yaw that can make an airplane go against the turn...
Aileron
Ailerons are both a part on an airplane and a term describing specific control or movements of RC aircraft...
Buddy Box
Training transmitter...
Collective
The collective controls the pitch of the main rotor blades collectively and moves the helicopter up and down...
Control Line Flying
Flying model airplanes without a radio...
Control Surfaces
Control surfaces are parts RC aircraft that affect flying and movement.
Cyclic Controls
Changes to the tilt of the main rotors on a helicopter are cyclic controls...
Cyclic Pitch
Cyclic pitch makes the helicopter dive or climb...
Cyclic Roll
Cyclic roll makes a helicopter bank or roll to the left or right...
Elevator
Going up? Use the elevator. On RC aircraft the elevator controls make the vehicle climb or dive...
Elevons
Elevons help with turns, ascents, and descents on Delta-wing RC airplanes...
Inrunner
A type of electric motor...
Master Transmitter
A transmitter that lets the instructor give and take control of an RC...
Outrunner
A kind of electric motor...
Prop
Propeller power...
Pull Prop
This prop helps to pull the plane through the air...
Push Prop
A push prop helps to push the plane through the air...
Rudder
The rudder turns the boat, plane, or helicopter...
Scale Model
Authentic details on a smaller scale...
Tail
The tail wags the helicopter. Acting like the rudder on a plane or boat, the tail helps the helicopter stay on course...
Throttle
When you 'give it the gas' you're applying more throttle...
Torque Reaction
The equal and opposite reaction in Newton's Third Law of Motion as found in RC helicopters and airplanes...
Trainer Cable
Makes buddies out of a pair of transmitters...
Trainer Transmitter
A dumb transmitter for smart flight training...
Yaw
Yaw is unwanted movement around the vertical axis...