Starting An RC Engine | Saito .62 4-stroke glow

Here is a how-to guide for starting an rc engine safely. This approach can be used on almost every small to medium-sized rc airplane. Thanks for watching! I demonstrate on my Hangar 9 Piper J3 Cub powered by a Saito .62 4-stroke glow engine.
THINGS I USE
=========
PowerPro Electric Starter (not exactly mine but close)
www.horizonhobby.com/powerpro...
3-cell Lipo Battery
www.pulsebattery.com/
Dynamite Glow Driver
www.amainhobbies.com/dynamite...
Long Neck Screwdriver
www.walmart.com/ip/Wideskall-...
Bungee Cord With Hooks
www.homedepot.com/p/HDX-24-in...
MUSIC
=========
Bonus Points
/ bonuspoints
"Lovely Friday"
"Soakin' up the sun"
www.fesliyanstudios.com
"Silly Chicken"
SOUND FX
=========
soundbible.com
Daniel Simion
cognito
ILLUSTRATIONS
=========
vecteezy.com

[@johnlitz3122]

Nice video, Safety first always makes for a great day at the field. 👍

[@easystar123]

Very good video and very well explained. I enjoyed this very much. I love the Piper Cub also. I've been flying nitro planes since 1986 and the Saito 62 is my favourite engine. Its a good size and so reliable and it never let's me down. The only time the engine cuts with me is when I'm put of fuel. I've got three of these and the majority of my fourstrokes are Saito. Can't beat that Saito sound. Many thanks for sharing this.

[@theskyllama]

💯 agree with you there. Saito sound iz best 👌🏽 👍🏽 😍

[@owenbarker350]

Very good video thanks for the advice! I've also found when getting fuel to the engine it can help to open the carburetor to full throttle, this helps especially when the engine is inverted. I too agree it is stupid to hand start glow engines - at our club we only ever use this technique with engines so big the electric motor cannot turn it over!

[@theskyllama]

Thanks @Owen Barker. I don't get much oppty to make videos so I'm super happy you liked it. I just inherited a 1/4 scale Piper Cub so I'm hoping my electric starter will work on a 20cc gas 🥺

[@oliv3rperez409]

Very good informative video , i have a few electric planes , a nitro heli and im about to jump into my first nitro rc plane its a little intimidating, thanks for sharing all your good experience and safety practices on this beautiful hobby.

[@theskyllama]

I'm glad my video was able to help. I reference them from time to time to just be able to recall what i learned 😄

[@grancanariaaeromodelismo3880]

Nice video, Usefull and injoyable, congratulations!

[@theskyllama]

Glad you liked it! Thanks! 😃

[@elpunto231]

Nice video...cheers!!!

[@theskyllama]

Thanks Blaž!

[@robertedwards7695]

Sounds like you have the saito tuned to perfection!😊

[@theskyllama]

I spend way too much time tweaking my engine's performance.

[@techlife9665]

Cool show...

[@1guitarlover]

Awsome video. Thank you!

[@theskyllama]

Thanks for watching 👀 🙂

[@runedyrting8476]

Important information to pass on.

[@samhozen4024]

good advice was that ,thanks

[@MrAaa9271]

nice video

[@hassanjamal4212]

Would this be robust enough to be used as a range extender for an ebike? Thank you.

[@akshaypv6939]

Sir i have a doubt, then the body of the plane is making we using any metirials like low weight metirials or fibers or any other particular metirials

[@randymelnychuk5131]

When I was BIG into R/C I stood confront of my airplane, and as I was slightly distracted my plane saved I creep forward and, ( I had to go for stitches & medical help) OWW!!

[@theskyllama]

That just hurts to read... I'm glad you are ok (for the most part). I'm always standing several feet away from a running engine at all times. I have a healthy fear of a spinning prop >_

[@JombieMann]

I've been using a chicken stick for close to 40 years without issue. If your not able to start using a stick, there is something not right with your engine. There is nothing more satisfying then to hook up your glow driver and flick the prop over and have an instant start. Also makes for alot less junk to haul around at the flight line. Engine stops on taxi? walk out with your stick and driver in your back pocket and restart in a second where it sits. No dragging the starter out to the runway, or bringing the plane back to the pits.

[@theskyllama]

💯valid points my friend. Who doesn't like an engine so well tuned that one flick will git 'er done 😀😉👍🏽 nice...

[@paradiselost9946]

cant say i have ever even used a stick except in frustration? 3 forward primes, then a flick against compression... i find it far more annoying to deal with batteries and lugs and wires and switches and murphys law, than the odd nip here or there.

[@fuzzy_bear]

That 62 sounds sweet

[@theskyllama]

It's a pleasure to run 😁

[@nichollsboy11]

I just got gifted 13 nitro planes, one is a great models ultimate with a 1.20 saito 4 stroke, i got a cpl of the OS 2 strokes going but still working on tuning those better, im gonna attempt to get the ultimates 4 stroke going this weekend, ill need some luck 😂

[@theskyllama]

Unless they've been severely punished, I've found most rc engines to be bulletproof. I have faith you'll resurrect them to full working condition. Time to warm up the stove (and open some windows) 😆

[@kmarshall100]

Great and helpful video! Would you mind sharing the item number of the spinner you have on your saito? I have the gas version of that engine and not sure what size spinner to get or where to purchase it. Thank you

[@theskyllama]

13x8 or 13x8 is what I use for my .62 saito props. You can order them through towerhobbies.com or horizonhobby.com or motionrc.com - all reputable places (tower and horizon are the same company)

[@davidking8968]

I just want to see the 62 im thinking about buying one.👍

[@theskyllama]

I highly recommend the .62. I've had this one for over 10 years and runs as good as the day I bought it.

[@easystar123]

Hi, can I ask you, do you have prop nut and lock nut hidden under the silver spinner nut? Thanks.

[@theskyllama]

Nope. It's just a single spinner nut. Which is why I check it for each flight, to ensure it's tight. 12 years of flying this way and haven't had a problem at all.

[@jebmooney4898]

Thanks

[@theskyllama]

My pleasure Jeb 😊

[@rclocosflyersbypilotjeremy1520]

Questions? I have hangar 9 hellcat 60 size with 0s 91 4s stroke engine .what size prop you recommend?

[@theskyllama]

Theres a wide range you coukd use. 11x11-12 or 12x10-12 are good for starters and power. Once you start at 13x9 up to 15x6 you begin flying more scale.

[@mrkhokhar4895]

Great help, great infoo

[@theskyllama]

Glad you found it helpful and thanks for watching 👀 🙂

[@clauciotonini8643]

Hi, whats the size and weigth of the piper? i would like to buy the same engine, i have a piper with wing size 1600 mm with 3,6 kg.

[@theskyllama]

This one was about 7.25 lbs with an 80-inch wingspan. I never flew the airplane at full throttle for more than a minute or two. 75% throttle was more than enough power. At 50%, it started to get sluggish at the controls.

[@brian-yd2cg]

b r i a n Hello! It has been 25 years since I’ve flown an RC plane. (my hangar currently consists of RC Helicopters) I do however miss planes! We used to have the electric starters back in the day too, but we had to carry a large motorcycle battery within our field box in order to power up everything. Can you recommend the parts you are using within this video please? (Battery, connectors & starter). I’m just getting back into this fantastic hobby and I never did the flick start & I never will! Beautiful airplane by the way!

[@theskyllama]

Hey b r i a n - thanks for watching the vid and I'm glad you found it helpful. If you click the "SHOW MORE" at the very bottom of the description it will expand to show you the items I used. In a nutshell it was a PowerPro Electric Starter, Dynamite Glow Driver, and a 3-cell 11.1v 2500 mAh Pulse battery. Cheers!

[@user-xq4qj5ow2m]

I just got my first 4 stroke fa 50 and this helped alot A club member lost his finger to a prop

[@theskyllama]

@@user-xq4qj5ow2m wow 😨 that's scary. And a main reason why I practice safety over and over. Some physical damage just can't be undone. I'm super happy this helped you. And thank you!

[@brettsulman9408]

Hi there How does your spinner not come off? Right hand thread! And u spin it anti clockwise? Sorry for the dumb question. 😑 Brett

[@theskyllama]

You know Brett, that's a *really* good question 🤔.... and I don't have an answer. I guess I never thought about it... methinks its time for investigation and perhaps a new video.

[@brettsulman9408]

@@theskyllama 😎

[@paradiselost9946]

@@brettsulman9408 starting doesnt make as much torque as the engine running and pushing power into the prop. once its over compression and kicking it has far more impulse than the starter can deliver to loosen it...

[@brettsulman9408]

@@paradiselost9946 Makes sense thanks

[@bigglesjnr2542]

What size wingspan is the cub? Is it a kit

[@theskyllama]

Andy, its a Hangar 9 Piper J-3 Cub 40 ARF with an 80" wingspan. Unfortunately they don't make this model anymore. I've had it for over 8 years.

[@Thomas470ken]

im new to the rc plane hobby but are these gas/nitro planes homemade or are they usaly bought

[@theskyllama]

Most kits nowadays are pre-built ARFs (Almost Ready to Fly). This means you'll not have to glue wood or cover an airframe. There are a ton of great kits for gas/glow out there!

[@mohamedkhlifi1199]

How is the engine speed controlled with a remote?

[@theskyllama]

Hi Mohamed. There's a servo inside the plane with a cable attached to it, and out to the engines carburetor. Boom 💥... controlled engine speed.

[@jebmooney4898]

How tight does the glow plug need to be

[@theskyllama]

About as tight as you'd seal the lid of your favorite ice cream topping jar. Tight enough to get a good seal but not so tight that you have a hard time getting the lid back off.

[@mickkino]

I have the same model and the same engine. Weight oh ballast on tail?

[@theskyllama]

I've since passed the Cub onto another hobbyist, but last I remembered, I had around 2 Oz. (52-ish grams) of nose weight added. It wasn't much to balance the Cub.

[@tommyoman7389]

Where did you get the spinner for your cub?

[@theskyllama]

It's a Harry B. Higley Safety Spinner I picked up at my local hobby shop. There are several places that sell them. Make sure to match your engine thread to the spinner. Certain spinners go with certain engine manuf.

[@thercchannel7301]

Where did you buy the plane? I also want another nitro!

[@theskyllama]

I got this Hangar 9 from Tower Hobbies but that was 12 years ago. Not sure they have this model anymore 🤔

[@thercchannel7301]

Ok, thank you. Do you knw some nitro models you can get roday?

[@khalid-7653]

What is company name of your piper please?

[@theskyllama]

It's a Hangar 9 Piper Cub. I'm not sure if they make the model anymore in the size I have (which is a .40 sized).

[@johntamang4282]

how much thrust it will give??

[@theskyllama]

Honestly, I don't know. What I do know is that I fly this Cub at 1/3 throttle and it pulls along nicely. At 3/4 throttle I have to give down elevator to stay level - it wants to climb!

[@hawkenman.549]

My question has nothing to do with safety so please forgive me. Your plane is beautiful, but why is the engine turned sideways? I thought it has to run with the cylinder in the vertical position. Maybe that’s a safety requirement, I have no idea. Enjoyed the video, thanks.

[@theskyllama]

You can mount most rc engines in a variety of positions. It's not required to have the cylinder in the "up" position. Many hobbyists will mount the engine to fit better under the cowl or, in some cases to allow for better cooling. I mounted mine 90 degrees because the two cylinder heads would have otherwise shown through the top of the cowl. And on a Piper Cub, that's just not right 😂

[@iman80skid91]

What wingspan is your Piper

[@theskyllama]

It's an 80 inch wingspan. super nice size for carting around in a mid-sized vehicle.

[@iman80skid91]

@@theskyllama I've just bought a 70 in one... I'm looking forward to flying it.. It's been 35 years since I flew my super 60

[@bermyvlogger]

im not a plane guy but good instructions . and lets keep internal combustion alive . thunbs up for masculine men everywhere ;)

[@yxhankun]

But you haven't check the cg.

[@Tom-kk6kx]

Why did the prop hit your finger whilst priming in a how to vid maybe not so good

[@theskyllama]

I think the 'thunk' you heard was the engine and not my finger.... maybe LOL 😉 In order to start a glow engine like this, you need to have a glow-starter attached to the spark plug. Since no plug was attached there is no risk of the engine turning over and starting. But once that glow-starter is attached - keep those fingers clear!!

[@kjellringstrom6217]

I´m the only one having an urge to take a spin with the lawnmower there?

[@theskyllama]

😂.... so true.

[@jebmooney4898]

I’m to scared to reach over the prop 😂

[@theskyllama]

Excellent reason to avoid the prop altogether 😄

[@mornaysauls4479]

Hi I got a plane like this

[@thelag1200]

You spun the prop the wrong way round with the flick o stick

[@theskyllama]

@mark 😂😂😂😂... excellent catch... goes to show a) how long it's been since I used that approach and b) my poor demonstration skills. LOL....

[@JamesManimal]

401 subs

[@Charleston_SC]

There are two more places thou shall not stand. They are to the left and right of the engine so that you are standing in the same "plane" that the prop is turning in. In other words, when a prop fails it throws the propeller pieces outward. That is an area you do not want to be standing. You do not want yourself or your face in that "plane". Propellers do fail. Especially wood props

[@memcrew1]

That’s what he said in the video.

[@AOXOMOXO]

Nice video...a few points - to be safe - At 2:15 you need to say you turn the engine over a few times to get fuel into the engine WITHOUT the glow plug driver attached....At 3:09 you need to refer to removal of the Glow Plug DRIVER .........NOT the "Glow plug". Four strokes can kick or back fire and hydro lock is a reason a lot of four stroke flyers do not recommend using an electric starter on four strokes..it can ruin the engine.kzbin.info/www/bejne/bWXHpJ6ipKqAfMk

[@winibaldcroux2000]

If you remove the glow plug, the engine will stop. It is not advisable to remove the plug while the engine is running.

[@theskyllama]

... it would also be DANGEROUS AS HECK to attempt to remove the glow plug when the engines running 🤯🩸

[@samuelcruz9258]

I have a friend that cut a piece of finger for trying to remove the glow plug at the front of the rc suamp bugie. Next spot..hospital.

[@theskyllama]

🤯 That's never a good thing.... yikes

[@rubinreiter6351]

Fourstroke glow engine? Thick leather glove, flip propeller clockwise against compression and the engine will come to life if the settings are correct. Never used an electric starter on four strokes.

[@theskyllama]

Impressive 👍🏽... I've always needed an electric starter. Especially in cold climates for winter flying (e.g., Minnesota in February 🥶)

[@rubinreiter6351]

@@theskyllama you tried it?

[@NoneNone-gk9wt]

Hey there ... mr safety... you got that set up wrong. Its dangerous. You have no lock nut on that prop on that four stroke

[@theskyllama]

@None - perhaps I've been lucky. In the 12 years of flying with that set up I've never had any backfires or misfires. I'm always checking the prop nut (even as the day goes along) and so far... 👍🏽. On some of my more aggressive aerobatic planes I do have the lock nut and that's because I'm running high RPMs and riding the throttle constantly. With this Cub, I'm flying 1/3 power max, low n slow 🐌 😆

[@bongdan]

putting your tools in front of propeller can be very dangerous prop can suck some rag or light tool and is done. Never put anything in front of propeller

[@theskyllama]

Exactly 💯. That's why I always have my stuff off to the side and any rags are secure under heavy objects 👍🏽

[@bongdan]

@@theskyllama corect way is to put your rag and tools behind propeller, specially if you make a beginner tutorial. Is very bad advice for new people

[@christopherknee5756]

1) Well made video. It could be shorter, to keep the interest up. 2) Mow the lawn, so the propeller doesn't have to do it for you! 3) You check the tightness of the propeller every time you start the engine? That is nuts. (I will admit I have seen a lot of Saito engines throw propellers). 4) Why do engines wear out and threads get stripped? Because someone told them to check the glow plug all the time! Daft. I've flown more than a year WITHOUT touching the plug! 5) It is NOT Say-Doh, its the US Say-Toe or the Japanese Say-ee-toe (kinda lost me right there, actually) 6) I would have fitted the cowl for the video. The plane really looks JUNK without it. 7) I am pretty sure the only ones clicking on this video, are the ones who DON'T own an electric starter and want to know how to get a four stroke glow started the regular way. 8) You spin the engine with the starter to suck in the fuel. This places additional wear and tear on the engine bearings and starter UNNECESSARILY! (kinda lost me right there, too). 9) You look to me like the kind of guy who attaches the glow igniter battery, then walks to his car to go and fetch something. (Seen this done many times before! Oh, I get it now, that is why you have to do step 4 all the time!) You only have to use the glow igniter for a second or two to fire the engine. As soon as it fires, it must be removed. 10) (Caution - controversial content ahead!) Tying your plane down, screams: Stand back fellas, I don't know what I doing! - or, When I fire this baby up, the throttle is going be well up and scare everybody. Yes, for crappy engines and first times, you must do this but NOT for regular starts where you know what you are doing. If you plane cannot remain stationary at idle, SET the idle.

[@theskyllama]

Thanks for watching and for the feedback Chris. It's a pretty old model and engine but has served me well for 15+ years with no loss in compression or performance. Got to give Saito credit, they build one heck of a bullet proof engine imo.

[@WayneCook306]

God some mothers have them, Talk about common sense go's without saying... People must be idiots if they need to be told this..

[@theskyllama]

With the prevalence of electrics I've seen a lot of jr. pilots going over to fuel and we're always teaching the basics. You have to start somewhere. Glad you enjoyed a quick rehash of the basics Wayne. Thanks for watching.

[@Randy_Cox]

What a safety sammy....this guy is no fun at a party, less fun at the flying field. 😂 Clean, safe, safe, clean, inspection, clean, safe...blah blah

[@theskyllama]

You could say I'm a bit of a buzz kill at the field... 😜 And how did you find out I'm a clean freak 😲👍🏽💯🤣

[@JombieMann]

Better than having "fun" as you go to the hospital for stitches.

[@NoneNone-gk9wt]

If it backfires you'll eat that prop. Just saying

[@billjones3071]

Four stroke engine should be double bolted, you are using the wrong type of spinner nut, so you shouldn’t be giving a speech about safety

[@theskyllama]

🤔 I've been using a prop nut on my 4-stroke for over 12 years and have never had any problems. Maybe I'm exceptionally lucky? Any advice or insight you can provide would be stellar Frank

[@mariodelgado9729]

Yawn........

[@theskyllama]

😆... I sometimes can do that to people. Thanks for stopping by and being bored for a while 👍🏽