i getting ready to order my first glow plane and i'm wondering how i am going to shut the engine off from the radio, i have a 4exa, i understand that the 6exa has a cutoff switch but mine doesn't, i know it's probably a dumb question but i can't figure it out

thanks,
Austin

In the pre-shutoff switch days, the most common way was to setup the throttle linkage so full down trim would completely close the throttle barrel. Before you start the engine, you move the trim to a point where the engine will idle well. When you want to shut it off, just move the trim all the way down. The only thing the shutoff really buys is that you don't have to remember where the trim should go for a good idle.

thanks, that will work for me i'll probably get a better radio soon anyways, but this one will work for now

Remember for either the manual trim or an electronic cutoff to work the idle stop screw on the engine must be adjusted to allow the throttle barrel to close completely when either the manual trim is run all the way down or a cutoff is activated.


John

The basic throttle setup kind of goes like this. You have the throttl closed and the trim switch and throttle stick all the way down and the servo in the aft position. Then hook it up. Now the ideal scenario here is when you turn it all on. If move the trim switch all the way up, you;l be at a good idle area and the throttle will be fine.

So when you throttle all the way back, the engine will be at idle, then move the trim switch back and shut it off. This is how it should work and usually can with experience. Where you install the arm on the servo also effects travel. Don't read more into this than its worth, you'll figure it out.

On my computer radios, pretty much the same idea but one of the toggle switches on the TX is also a kill switch.

i do like piper chuck said,have always set up my throttle and used the trim to shut off the engine,you will figure it out just takes some tweaking here and there to get the idle and shutoff to work like you want.

The last time I flew I overheard someone say they could not get their engine stopped. They obviously did not have their trim set so that all the way down would close the barrel. I landed and was thinking to myself, put your finger over the carb... But I watched in horror as the guy grabbed the spinner with his bare hand... I did not have enough time to shout at him, but it worked and he didn't get hurt - luckily. Even if I had a cowl and could not get the enging stopped I would tie her down or straddle her and keep her from moving and then just let the fuel run out. NEVER stop the engine by grabbing the spinner!

I know several people who do this and I cringe when I see it. Unfortunately, they're usually the type who know better, and I've learned it's pointless to try to change them. As you noted, when the engine is cowled in, a finger over the carb, or pinching the fuel line closed, won't work. Throwing a rag in the prop will stop an idling engine quickly.