newb with lots of questions

[twistedinfo]

ok here goes

1. how long do engines last
2. can engines be rebuilt or is it cheaper to buy a new one?
3. why are the wings of a plane mounted to the fuse with rubber bands and not screws?
4. Typically, how long can u fly before you run out of fuel.
5. what are glow plugs
6. what is a Glo-Starter Long
7. what does AMA insurance cover?
8. what does ARF mean
9 what does AFS mean
10. what other acronyms am i missing


thanks in advance

Jeff

[DaveSawers]

1. Sometimes many years, sometimes a lot less. Depends how you treat them.
2. Engines can be rebuilt to repair crash damage but when they start to wear out, there comes a time when a new engine is the sensible option.
3. Many wings are mounted with screws and some with just sticky tape. Rubber bands are good for learning because if you do catch a wingtip on landing, you are less likely to do serious damage.
4. Depends how big your fuel tank and engine are. Most aircraft are designed to have a 10-15 minute sortie time.
5. The little thing in the top of the engine that makes it work. It is a platinum coil that is initially heated using a glow starter until the engine is running. Once the engine runs, the coil stays hot on its own and the glow starter can be disconnected.
6. See 5.
7. No idea.
8. Almost Ready to Fly.
9. No idea.
10. No idea.

[twistedinfo]

thanks for you help

[Steven H.]

7. The ama covers some basics things for flyers, including theft insurance (provided you have a police report). And accidental insurance for clubs and individuals, in fact most clubs require ama membership.

8.AFS, you must be talking about the Nexstar with AFS, well basically it uses the contrasts of sunlight to keep you plane "straight and level" and return the plane to that attitude if you let go of the controls. I actually own this plane and learned to fly on my own for a bit with it. 1st oyu should never let go of the sticks. 2nd if you go to a instructor he will more than likely have you shut off the AFS beofre you really ever even know what it does.
just my .02 cents

Steve

[fhhuber506771]

ok here goes

1. how long do engines last
Depends on how you use/abuse it. I have a 25+ yr old engine which I lost track of useage at over 30 gallons fuel through it.. still runs like fresh broken-in
2. can engines be rebuilt or is it cheaper to buy a new one?
Most often... unless its an expensive engine you get a new one. Just a Carb can cost 60% as much as the whole engine
3. why are the wings of a plane mounted to the fuse with rubber bands and not screws?
some use screws... the rubber bands are easy and convenient. Itis a throw-back to FF models where you needed the wings to be able to pop off in minor impacts. However the current method of rubber band attachment generally breaks something before the wing pops off... may as well be screws if they weren't hard for beginners to set up right.
4. Typically, how long can u fly before you run out of fuel.
3 min to 3 hrs or more... how big a fuel tank... how big an engine and how you operate the engine make all kinds of difference. Typical .40 trainer has 10 to 25 min fuel supply.
5. what are glow plugs
they are things that sort of look like mini spark plugs with a coil of wire in them instead of the electrodes for a spark gap. The wire is heated by an electric current to start the vombustion process... then the wire stores heat from one combustion to use to ignite the fuel for the next
6. what is a Glo-Starter Long
that would be a thing to put on the glow lug with a longer than average connector.
7. what does AMA insurance cover?
www.modelaiviation.com contact Carl Mahoney He'll tell you all about it. (the short version is... you break something with the model.. you probably want the insurance.
8. what does ARF mean
Almost Ready to Fly
9 what does AFS mean
Automated Flight System... its a specific company's name for thier ayto-leveling device. If its on... then let go of the sticks and the airplane TRIES to get level as fast as it can. Doesn't replace an instructor... but does help you break fewer airplanes.
10. what other acronyms am i missing

about 1000 others... maybe more.. certainly not less



thanks in advance

Jeff

[tailskid2]

Jeff, welcome to the group and most of all the HOBBY!

Jerry

[Mendnwngs]

Oh, and to pick up on the "Glow starter - long" question

The glow starters come in a couple lengths, the long glow starters are good for getting down into a hard-to-reach glow plugs. If the engine is out in the open, typically the standard or "short" glow starter will be fine. They both do the exact same thing, in the exact same way, just one has a longer neck.

I have a short personally, and its been fine for me.

-Jason