Full-scale pilots are taught to fly using coordinated aileron and rudder. An instructor will not even allow you to use the Rudder or Throttle for the first few flights, to allow you to concentrate on using the primary stick. Most sport plane engines are in the .25 to .90 cubic inch range. Most are Two-Stroke engines which provide power on every revolution of the crankshaft. These engines are simple, inexpensive and reliable.
Some engines are Four-Stroke and use push rods and valves just like an automobile engine.
These engines are more complicated, heavier and expensive than Two-Strokes, but are often used in scale models because of their realistic sound and power range. There are even planes designed to run on Electric Motors. Electrics are becoming very popular because of the noise problem associated with engines, particularly in Europe. Electric power is clean, but because of their power to weight ratio, electric planes don't make very good trainers. I learned on an electric, and it definitely makes for a steeper learning curve.