| > | | | | needed. |
| The two-stroke model airplane engine is a simple and | | | | The piston itself functions as a fuel-air-exhaust valve, |
| elegant concept. The majority of these are not | | | | eliminating the need for the extra parts found in the |
| gasoline, but glow or nitro engines. | | | | four stroke engine. The engine is also its own fuel |
| These names are due to the fuel and combustion | | | | pump, as the movement of the piston pressurizes |
| methods. The fuel itself contains methanol, nitro | | | | the crankcase. The fuel carries its own oil, further |
| methane and oil. The combustion is due to a plug that | | | | simplifying the design. And last but not least, being |
| glows instead of sparking (as in other common | | | | able to remove the battery after the engine starts, |
| two-stroke engines). | | | | due to the self-sustaining glow-plug, reduces weight |
| While there are many variations on the design, the | | | | considerably. This is very desirable in a model airplane |
| basic elements remain unchanged. There is a piston | | | | engine. |
| moving back and forth in a cylinder. The piston is | | | | These wonders of engineering are perfect |
| connected by a hinged rod to a rotating crankshaft. | | | | powerhouses for our model airplanes. However, |
| There is a combustion event on every other stroke | | | | starting the engine and keeping it running is |
| of the piston (at the beginning of the down-stroke). | | | | somewhat of an art form. Follow the included |
| The combustion is caused by a platinum element in a | | | | directions as closely as possible. |
| heated glow plug, combined with a compressed | | | | If you need more info about starting or |
| fuel-air (and oil) mixture. There are also intake, | | | | troubleshooting these engines, visit the |
| exhaust and transfer ports, to move around fresh | | | | RC Airplane Advisor. |
| and used fuel. A carburetor is used to mix air with | | | | This article may be reprinted if proper credit is given |
| fuel in the required ratio for the power output | | | | and all links left intact. |