Model Aircraft Glossary

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Paper & Cardboard Models

Interesting links for further information. more......

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Parachute

Described at first as the "Guardian Angel". On 19^th August 1913 Pegoud was the first person to descend on a parachute in Europe.

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Parasail

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Parasitic Drag

Resistance to a forward aeroplane movement caused by any non-lifting components of the aeroplane. The fixed undercarriage on most aircraft is one of the main causes of unwanted drag. Rectractable undercarriage will reduce area of drag to virtually zero.

Parasol

An aeroplane in which the wing is mounted above the fuselage on struts.

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Peak Detect Charger

A battery charger which uses the measured voltage of the battery pack to shut off charging rather than a timer.

Pilot Painting

A detailed guide to modifying and painting a pilot.

Pitch

The pitch of the aircraft whilst flying is controlled by the elevator. However, if the line of thrust of the power unit and/or angle of attack of the main wing are set incorrectly the pitch may also be a function of engine thrust.

Pitch is the theoretical distance travelled along the axis of rotation of a propeller during one revolution.

Pitch Control

Provided by the elevators fitted to the tailplane.

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Pitch-Diameter Ratio

The relation between the propeller pitch and diameter, expressed as a mathematical proportion, as 1.5 to 1, and so on.

Pitch Stability

Stability of an aeroplane in climb and dive.

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Plain Flaps

See: Flaps.

Planform

The outline of wing or tailplane when viewed from above.

Planking

Sheet-wood covering accomplished by glueing thin flat wood strips side by side on a fuselage.

Plastic Model Manufacturers

Useful links and contacts for plastic model manufacturers. more......

Plywood

Sheet wood made by glueing together two or more very thin layers of wood with the grain of adjacent layers at right angles.

Pod

A short streamlined fuselage fitted with a boom to support the tail surfaces.

Pod-and-Boom

A model that derives its name from the appearance of its short fuselage and tail-support boom.

Polyhedral

A form of dihedral in which there are one or more changes of dihedral in each wing panel.

See also: Anhedral, Dihedral.

Powered Flight

Profile Drag

This is the sum of the form and skin friction drag calculated at zero incidence.

See also: Induced Drag.

Propeller

An assembly of radially disposed blades with an airfoil shape that when rotated in air produce thrust. more......

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Propeller Sizes

For a given engine size a range of propellers may be fitted. The tables here may give you a starting point and some alternatives.

Prop Pitch

Props are designated by these two numbers, for instance 10 - 6 (often pronounced 10 by 6). The first number is the prop's length, 10". The second number is the pitch or angle of the blades. The 6 represents the distance the propeller will move forward in one revolution, in this case 6".

Pulse Jet

See also: Jet Engines.

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Pusher

A plane in which the engine is mounted ahead of the propeller, so that the propeller pushes instead of pulls.

Pylon Racing

PVA

A water based type of adhesive.

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