From: sbixby@cup.portal.com (Steven W Bixby)
Newsgroups: rec.models.rc
Subject: Re: A few questions from a beginner.
Date: Wed,  6 Jan 93 16:03:15 PST
Organization: The Portal System (TM)

I'll bite....:
>Hi I am new to this hobby. I have a few questions that were not answered
>by the FAQ.

>	1) When I see a gas plane advertised as 3 channel. Do these
>	include: elevator,rudder&throttle. 

Most typically, the trainer planes with 3 channels will be E/R/T
control.

>	2) If the plane has no aileron control. And very little or
>	   no dihedral. Can it still turn?

Airfoil comes into play here.  A semi-symetrical wing with little
dihedral will not turn as easily as a flat-bottom wing with the same
dihedral.  In general, a generous amount of dihedral is needed for rudder
controlled planes.....

>	3) I have decided on an engine size of .10. How much Nitro
>	should I buy my fuel with?

Go with what the manufacturer recommends.  If it's the OS 10FP, which
is the only .10 I'm aware of these days, about 10 or 15% nitro should
do the trick.  Often, smaller engines like higher nitro content than
bigger engines.... but not always.  It really depends on the design
of the engine.

>	4) How do these diesel engines get adjusted? You'd have
>	to be VERY steady handed to get near that adjusting "T" 
>	 with the prop spinning 1" away!!

Most engines are glow, not diesel... Are you confusing the two?  If not...
the compression adjustment screw in the head is a lot farther away from
the engine than the mixture needle....

I have no diesel experience, sorry.

>	5) Will a diesel engine of a given disp put out more
>	  power?

Supposedly a similar or slightly higher amount of power.  The diesels
run at a lower RPM and swing bigger, more efficient props.  And use less
fuel in the process.

>	6) I have seen many ads for radios and have settled on
>	  a four channel from airtronics or futaba. What
>	do all the Nbl,nbf and all that stand for. If I 
>	buy a radio kit now with 3 servos can I add a 4th later
>	if I put it in a plane with aileron control? WITHOUT
>	buying a new receiver? What is servo reverse? Whats the
>	pros and cons of AM vs FM. Are they disallowed in certain
>	areas? Can the servos be put in a glider?

Good choice.  The "NBL", "NBF", etc is just "part number" designations.
You can always add more servos.
No new receiver needed.
Servo reverse is changing the direction of the servo's rotation in respect
to the control stick's movement, via a switch.  Useful for installations
where the servo's motion would cause the control surface to move in the
wrong direction for a given best installation.
AM is cheaper and slightly more prone to interference, in general.
FM is used in more expensive receivers, less prone to interference.
(This is based on the fact that AM used to be the basic, and FM was 'deluxe',
but this is meaningless now.  Manufacturers give more attention and effort
toward making FM systems most reliable and less toward AM.  However, AM is
just fine, for the most part - I have three Futaba 4NBL's, which are AM.
THey work great!)
No restrictions on where they are used - if one can be, the other also.
Servos can be put anywhere they physically fit.


>	7) Do ailerons work 180deg out of sync or am I confusing
>	this with flaps.

Ailerons move in opposite directions to induce a rolling movement along
the direction of flight. ie - one wing goes up, the other down.
Flaps go in the same direction, usually down, to induce a braking factor,
by increasing drag and lift at the same time.

>	8) How do those hand held starters work? Do they just
>	interface on the nut/prop or do you have to have a cone
>	there?

Both - the rubber cone in the starter is usually reversible. One side
fits spinners (cones) and the other side has just one hole that will
usually provide sufficient grip on the nut/washer/prop to turn the
engine over.  It is much preferred to have a spinner, however - it's just
simply a lot easier and safer when using starters.

>	9) Is balsa/wood construction the best for someone who contemplates
>	  many repairs due to crashes, or is foam/plastic better because
>	its stronger.

It's all debatable.  In my opinion, balsa planes are easier to repair,
and much lighter than foam/plastic bricks.  Build to FLY, not to withstand
crashes.  You will avoid crashes more by having a light, well flying plane.
Utmost of importance, is to find an instructor or a good flyer that can
help you get started.

>	Thats all for now. Thanks. If you want you could reply via
>	email then I will post the q's and a's or mail them
>	to the FAQ man.

I'd rather post... :-)

  -swb- (Steve Bixby, sbixby@cup.portal.com)