Hi, real noob question here. I have been given a 2nd hand trainer by my brother. Its a Thunder Tiger, with the pro .40 motor. The plane is in very good condition and only needed a radio and reciever to be complete. Now he told me he has not run it for over a year. while trying to start it (not going to fly it just yet, just want to run it) I noticed why it won't start, no fuel is getting into the carb. Its blocked somehow. I have been into RC nitro cars for many years but have zero idea on plane motors. Is there some type of fuel cutter or has something seized? (My brother is in the army and I can't get in contact with him at the moment).
Also is it the same story for turning them off as cars? Squeezing the fuel line or blocking the exhaust?

any help really welcome, thanks.

1st replace the glow plug. A lot of times they just die if they sit there for long.

Then I would check the fuel clunk and replace the fuel line all the way up to the engine. Then remove the needle valve and clean it, but be sure to note where it was set so that you can go back to the right needle valve setting. You might wasnt to soak the engine and clean the fuel ports just to make sure nothing is plugged up.

Are you cranking with an electric starter? If not, you may want to do so until it runs a little.

Thanks mate. The fuel lines are fine. Can't even blow air down the carby. I'll have a go at taking it apart.

Yeah, sounds like you might have a little gum or something down in the fuel port. Maybe try some rubbing alcohol or 91% alcohol to dissolve it. The medicinal kind will probably work fine.

To answer the second part of your question, the best way to shut the engine down is just to rig it that way. Set it up so that when the throttle and throttle trim are completely back, the engine shuts down. Some transmitters also come with a cut switch that does the same thing.

remove the needle valve and use a pipe cleaner soaked in fuel or alcohol and swab it thru the spray bar and fuel inlet,if this is a two needle carb open the trottle barrel when swabbing out the spray bar.