This saturday, my uncle is going to give me his aerostar trainer that has never been used but is 2 years old. I have no knowledge of gas. I know how to fly and own a sim and an electric plane already. I went straight into 3d electric with just a simulator and I wanted to know what I have to do to get this thing running and maybe some tuning tips and any other things that would be helpful. Thanks for helping!!!

Sorry, my bad post. - Deleted

We can fill you full of ideas but the best thing to do in my opinion is to find a guy their that will help you get hands on training with it. There is way to much to get into. Once you fool around with it, ask specific questions, like tuning, prop, fuel etc.

I don't recall seeing this in the Beginner forum last night, perhaps it was moved here from somewhere else?

Wes, as you've already heard, the best thing you can do is to find a local club. They will have instructors who can help you make sure the plane is ready to fly, and then will help you make the jump from sims and electrics to glow powered planes. The concepts of flying are the same, but the glow plane is probably faster, and the glow engine requires knowledge to adjust so it runs properly. The local club will most likely require AMA membership. The AMA will provide insurance in case any accident happens. You can get more information about the AMA here: http://www.modelaircraft.org/. Look on the left side of the page for the Charter Club Locator. You can use this to find the nearest club. Good luck and welcome to the world of slimers

Edited

So it looks like a Moderator moved it and left you not looking good eh

Thanks guys... I seem to have a good amount of luck as I live on top of a 150 ft hill/cliff with a flying field at the bottom. The field is run by the Hempstead Harbor Aero Modelers Society (www.hhams.org). They do have meetings once a month and I will be attending the next one. I was just wondering if I needed to do anything to the motor seeing that it has never run and is 2 years old.

you'll need some field box items; firstly a good glow ignitor for the plug , spare R/C plugs, spare props of correct size, 10% fuel & a hand crank pump, prop wrench , glow plug wrench(sometimes they are one & same tool.)small common screw driver, spare rubber bands , at least 1 box, starter or chicken stick(rubber heater hose over 1/2 inch dowel will work -dont flip with your bare hand!!! the engine is most likely fine but it may need some run in at least one-two tanks run through it for break in.its hard on plugs too so be prepared to sacrifice your first plug or accept shorter life from it. modern motors dont usually require extensive running but its a good idea to get some one with engine experience to help you. there are a host of problems that can crop up that are simple to fix but will drive you crazy if you dont know what to do.many are tank related.you may want to get some ear plugs during the break in as you'll be running on the ground for a while.oh yes you'll need some paper towels & I might suggest rubbing alcohol to clean up the oil mess- probably the cheapest most effective way to do it since the fuel contains alcohol.

OK now I understand. I am assuming that your Uncle never really got into the hobby and the airplane is new since you say it was never used. There are several things I would do in this case.

1) If the engine has never been run then you shouldn't have to do anything to it. Just inspect the fuel tank and the fuel lines to make sure they are flexable and there are no holes, cuts etc.

2) If the engine has been run then inspect the tank to make sure it is clean. A tank that has not been drained and then stored will generally have congealed fuel in it. If you find this just take the tank plug out and clean it with some glow fuel. You will be amazed how well this works and it is easy. Make sure that all the lines are in good shape like above and that they are not plugged up. Rarely happens.

3) If the engine has been run and is gummy (I am assuming that it has not been flown extensively since you say it was never used) you can probably free it up by squirting fuel into the carb and down the glow plug hole. Turn the engine over by hand until it gets nice and loose, don't use a starter at this time. If it doesn't loosen up see the threads on cleaning engines. I have never had an engine get to the point where I couldn't get it loosened up with glow fuel and I once had a layoff of more 10 years. My engines came right back, after I cleaned up the fuel tanks.

4) If your uncle is giving you a radio cycle the batteries in the transmitter and receiver. If you don't know how or don't have the equipment I am sure there will be club members who will be able to help you with this. You don't want to have your batteries go bad in the air.

5) Inspect the airplane for cracks and other damage that may have occured during storage. Check the servo mounting and control connections, clevises etc.

6) The covering may have loosened up over time. You can shrink it back with a Monokote Iron but start with a low temperature and work up. Some ARF's use low temperature covering and you can burn through it quickly. Take your time.

Hope this is what you are looking for. You are lucky to have a club so close!

As the others have said, instructor and club. Also, check all the control surfaces. Make sure you have a smooth and not binding
travel on the throttle servo and linkage. Also check the rx and do a full range check. Check all the landing gear screws and make sure they are tight and lastly, check the engine mount and engine (make sure all screws etc. are tight.)
You will see that glow engine aircraft are much more different than electrics. Especially if your used to park flyers and planes in the
speed 550 and below category. Glow engine aircraft move much faster and things happen quickly. Maybe flying it won't tax you on your skills as an rc pilot but if you not used to landing with landing gear, that will probably be the toughest challenge.

Dave...

I know everything there is to know about batteries because Ive been racing off road electric cars for a few years and we are crazy about battery condition and care because that is vital--as for breaking in the motor, I know all about that because Ive seen so many people come into my hobby shop during a car race and complain that the motor slowed down dramatically after the first day. Everything else sounds like it cant be too hard. He also said that he has everything to get the plane up just never had the time. The only thing I will replace is the fuel. Ill make sure to check everything and retighten screws before I fly. Thanks!!!

By the way--The field is close enough to walk to with the plane in my hand (about 4 blocks or so) but I wouldnt try that anyway, driving is easier.