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How to Start a Radio Controlled Airplane Engine

RC airplanes come in many shapes and sizes, and for every skill level. The most common type of motor used is a "glow" engine. These are miniature versions of combustion engines, and burn an alcohol fuel that drives a small piston and crankshaft. Instead of igniting the fuel with a spark plug as with larger combustion engines, glow engines use a "glow plug" that is kept hot by the ignition of the fuel. A glow plug is first heated with the aid of a battery, and once lit, will keep the engine running until it exhausts its fuel supply.

Things You'll Need

Glow plug igniter
Chicken stick

Instructions

- 1
  Fill your engine with fuel. If this requires removing the carburetor fuel line, make sure to replace it after filling.
- 2
  Place the engine's needle valve in the starting position. Consult the owner's manual for the correct setting.
- 3
  Turn on your transmitter and receiver, and place the transmitter's throttle control at its highest setting.
- 4
  Cover the opening in the carburetor with your finger and rotate the propeller two or three times. This will draw fuel into the combustion chamber. It's known as priming the engine. Remove your finger from the carburetor and rotate the propeller twice more to draw in air. Reduce the throttle control of the transmitter to about a third of full throttle.
- 5
  Place the model in a restraint or have an assistant hold it from behind to secure it once the motor is started. Attach the glow plug igniter.
- 6
  Flip the propeller quickly past its compression point using a wooden dowel or a rubber sleeve known as a chicken stick. This will be the area of the propeller's rotation where you feel the most resistance. The engine might start abruptly after only a few tries.
- 7
  Position yourself behind the model once the engine starts. Turn the throttle control all the way up. Carefully reach from behind the engine and start closing the needle valve until you hear the pitch of the engine rise and smooth out. Reduce the throttle control, and the engine should idle smoothly. Remove the glow plug igniter.

Aviation