RC Glossary of Terms
Your comprehensive guide to radio control aircraft terminology and abbreviations.
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Radio Systems & Electronics
2.4GHz
A 2.4GHz “spread spectrum” radio band used for modern R/C systems. It operates at higher frequencies than most sources of interference and is more resistant to noise than older 27/72MHz systems.
Adjustable Travel Volume (ATV)
A transmitter feature that lets you preset how far a servo can move from center in each direction. Used to fine-tune control sensitivity and prevent over-driving linkages.
Battery Eliminator Circuitry (BEC)
A circuit (built into many ESCs) that powers the receiver and servos from the main drive battery. This “eliminates” the need for a separate receiver battery pack.
Direct Servo Control (DSC)
A radio feature that allows you to connect the transmitter directly to the receiver by cable so you can test servo operation on the bench without transmitting a radio signal.
DMSS (Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum)
A 2.4GHz radio system type that locks onto one (or two) “clean” frequencies and transmits on them. Designed to resist interference and electrical noise.
FHSS (Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum)
A 2.4GHz radio system that constantly jumps between different available frequencies to highly resist interference.
Expanded Scale Voltmeter (ESV)
A precise voltmeter designed to check receiver and transmitter battery packs.
Field Charger
A fast charger that runs from a 12-volt source (car battery or field battery). Used to recharge flight packs and transmitter packs at the flying field.
Frequency Control
The system of managing which radio channel you use so you don’t interfere with others. Traditionally used on the 72MHz band.
Glitch
A brief radio problem or momentary loss of control. Often shows up “only over those trees” or “only over the swamp.”
Hit (or “to be hit”)
A sudden burst of radio interference that makes your model behave unpredictably.
Mode 1 / Mode 2
Refers to how the sticks are assigned on the transmitter. Mode 2 (common in the Americas) has elevator/aileron on the right stick and throttle/rudder on the left.
Mixing (Coupling)
A transmitter feature that electronically links two control channels so they move together. Common uses include aileron-rudder mixing.
Programmable or Computer Radios
Higher-end radios with digital menus and model memory. They offer features like dual rates, exponential, mixing, and multiple model setups.
Receiver (Rx)
The onboard radio unit that receives signals from your transmitter and sends commands to the servos and ESC.
Servo
A small electro-mechanical device that converts the receiver’s commands into movement of control surfaces.
Transmitter (Tx)
The hand-held radio controller you use to send commands to the model.
Buddy Box / Trainer System
Two compatible transmitters linked with a trainer cord so an instructor can take control at any time to supervise a student.
Engines, Power & Fuel
ABC / Non-Ringed
Refers to glow engine construction using Aluminum, Brass, and Chrome. These engines have an aluminum piston running in a plated brass sleeve with no piston ring.
Flight Pack (or Airborne Pack)
All the radio gear carried in the model: receiver, servos, receiver battery, and switch harness.
Carburetor
The engine component that controls fuel/air mixture and throttle. The main needle valve sets mixture.
Electronic Speed Control (ESC)
An electronic unit that controls motor speed in electric R/C models. It replaces mechanical speed controls and often includes a BEC.
Four Stroke (Four Cycle)
A glow engine type that completes a power cycle in four strokes. Quieter, more fuel-efficient, and can swing larger props.
Fuel Pick Up-Line / Clunk
The fuel line that carries fuel from inside the tank to the carburetor. It typically has a weighted “clunk” at the end so it stays submerged.
Glow Plug
The small plug that provides the heat source to ignite the fuel/air mixture in a glow engine.
Needle Valve
The adjustable needle on the carburetor used to set the fuel/air mixture.
Nitro
Short for nitromethane, a fuel additive in glow fuel. It improves idle and high-speed power.
LiPo Battery
Lithium-Polymer rechargeable battery. Very light and capable of high power delivery. Must be charged only with a LiPo-compatible balancing charger.
Flight Controls & Aerodynamics
Adverse Yaw
The tendency of an airplane to yaw opposite the direction of a roll.
Ailerons
Hinged control surfaces on the trailing edges of the wings. They control roll (banking left or right).
Angle of Attack
The angle between the wing’s chord line and the relative airflow.
CG (Center of Gravity)
The balance point of the model. A nose-heavy model tracks better; a tail-heavy model is more responsive but can be unstable.
Dihedral
The upward V-angle of the wings when viewed from the front. Increases roll stability.
Elevator
The hinged control surface on the horizontal stabilizer that controls pitch.
Flaps
Hinged surfaces on the trailing edge of the wing. Dropping flaps increases lift and drag, allowing slower takeoffs and landings.
Rudder
The hinged control surface on the vertical fin that controls yaw.
Stall
When the wing’s angle of attack becomes too great and airflow breaks down, causing a loss of lift.
Washout
A twist built into the wing so the wing tips have a lower angle of attack than the wing root. Helps prevent tip stalls.
Building, Materials & Bench Gear
CA (Cyanoacrylate)
A fast-setting “super glue” used for building models. Excellent for wood construction, but most CA formulas will attack regular foam.
Epoxy
A two-part adhesive (resin and hardener) that cures to form a very strong bond. Used where high strength is needed.
Flight Box
A field toolbox used to carry fuel, starter, glow plug driver, tools, batteries, and other gear required for flying sessions.
Prop Pitch
The second number in a prop size (e.g., 10x6). It represents how far the prop would move forward in one revolution in an ideal medium.
Z-Bend
A Z-shaped bend in the end of a pushrod wire, used to connect it securely to a servo arm or control horn without additional hardware.
Organizations & Acronyms
AMA (Academy of Model Aeronautics)
The national organization for model aviation in the United States. It provides safety guidelines, insurance, and sanctions competitions.
ARF (Almost Ready to Fly)
A prefabricated airplane kit that comes mostly built and covered. The builder typically adds the engine/motor and radio gear.
RTF (Ready-To-Fly)
An airplane that includes everything needed to fly right out of the box—airplane, radio, power system, and hardware.
Slang, Jokes & Common Phrases
Dead Stick
Flying with the engine off, usually because it quit unexpectedly. The pilot must glide the model in for a landing with no power.
Grease-In
A very smooth, gentle landing with no bounce. The airplane “greases” onto the runway.
Re-Kitting Your Airplane
Humorous phrase for crashing so thoroughly that your finished plane is once again a “kit” of loose parts. Also known as a "One-Point Landing".
Slop
Excess loose movement in the control system—often from oversized holes in servo arms or horns. Slop makes controls feel vague and can lead to flutter.
Touch-And-Go
Landing and then immediately taking off again without stopping. Used to practice approaches and landings.
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