DIY Network

Gas-Powered Model-Airplane Engines -- Introduction From "Radio Control Hobbies" episode RCH-203

Contact!! WWI flying ace (and DIY Radio Control Hobbies host) Chris Chianelli gets ready to engage his engine.

In this special episode of DIY Radio Control Hobbies, host Chris Chianelli explains some of the basics of gas-powered model-airplane engines and demonstrates how to tune an engine for optimum performance.

In this segment, Chris introduces the topic of gas-powered engines for scale-model planes and shows some examples of high-performance engines available for the RC hobbyist.

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	Figure A
	Figure B
	Figure C
	Figure D
	Figure E
	Figure F
	Figure G

Gas-Powered Engines -- Introduction

• As a serious RC hobbyist, the more you know and understand about aerodynamics, the better RC pilot you can become. The same can be said about the miniature engines used to power the planes (figure A).

  There are numerous brands and types of gas-powered engines available for today's radio-controlled model airplanes (figure B). Here are a few examples.

  The Saito 72 (R ) 4-stroke engine, mounted in this model Mariner (R ) from Lanier is a small but powerful engine (figure C). Four-stroke engine technology has advanced over recent years, and the engines have gotten smaller while still increasing displacement and power. This engine is available in the "Gold Knight" black and gold finish (as shown) or in a less costly all-aluminum. The Gold Knight version costs around $225.

• The twin engines mounted in the Hobbico Twin-Star (R ) are two OS Wankel engines (figure D). These unusual engines don't use pistons as all conventional engines do. Instead they use triangular rotors that spin inside a housing. The street price for each of these Wankel engines is around $230.

• The impressive Saito 170 3-cylinder engine (figure E) is a radial 4-stroke engine. This scale-replica engine is structurally accurate both inside and out. It utilizes scale internal components such as the master-and-slave rod system (figure F)that mimics its full-size counterpart in full-sized airplanes. This technically advanced engine sells for around $650.

• The YS-63 engine (figure G) is a supercharged engine that provides proportionally large amounts of power for its size. The price for this particular supercharged engine is about $250.
  

In the segment that follows model-airplane expert Randy Lisalato of Mecoa Engines provides information and advice about model-airplane engines.

Chris Chianelli's Mailbag

Q: Justin, a DIY viewer from St. Louis, MO writes: Chris, I run my engine just before I fly, and everything seems fine. Halfway through the flight, the engine quits. I think I've checked everything. Could You please help?

A: Try checking the fuel-line just inside the tank. It's not uncommon for a pinhole to develop on this line. These engines are sensitive to air leaks, so a tiny hole is enough to make them quit. To check this, run the engine with half a tank with the plane on the ground. If you see any air bubbles, an air leak is indicated. To fix the problem, replace the tubing.