Abstract: An empennage assembly for a model aircraft. The empennage assembly includes a fuselage having a bottom portion with an opening and a housing positioned in the opening in the bottom portion of the fuselage. The housing has a first end defining an opening and a second end. A rod extends from an underside of a vertical stabilizer, and a horizontal stabilizer having a hole is aligned with the opening in the bottom portion of the fuselage, the housing and the rod, whereby the rod is positioned within the opening in the first end of the housing to secure the vertical and horizontal stabilizers to the fuselage. A method and device for attaching an empennage assembly to a model aircraft are also disclosed.

Abstract: A wheel assembly, in particular, a landing gear assembly for an aircraft model that includes a mounting block and a pair of landing gear struts that are capable of being attached to the mounting block without the use of any tools. The mounting block includes individual attachment points for each individual landing gear strut that makes up the pair of gear struts. A method for installing the landing gear struts is also disclosed.

Abstract: A device for converting joystick controller generated analog and digital signals into Universal Serial Bus (USB) format, or for converting imported pulse position modulated (PPM) encoded signals from an external radio control (RC) transmitter into USB format data. The device is used, in an embodiment, for controlling simulated RC model aircraft as displayed, for example on a personal computer screen through the use of computer software. In an embodiment, the device includes a pair of two-axis gimbals, an auxiliary channel control potentiometer, and various control key switches to generate analog and digital joystick type signals as a result of direct manipulation by a user. The device also includes microcontroller circuitry for importing PPM signals, such as PPM signals generated by a commercially available model aircraft RC transmitter, to a USB port signal for interface with a computer.

Abstract: A device for converting joystick controller generated analog and digital signals into Universal Serial Bus (USB) format, or for converting imported pulse position modulated (PPM) encoded signals from an external radio control (RC) transmitter into USB format data. The device is used, in an embodiment, for controlling simulated RC model aircraft as displayed, for example on a personal computer screen through the use of computer software. In an embodiment, the device includes a pair of two-axis gimbals, an auxiliary channel control potentiometer, and various control key switches to generate analog and digital joystick type signals as a result of direct manipulation by a user. The device also includes microcontroller circuitry for importing PPM signals, such as PPM signals generated by a commercially available model aircraft RC transmitter, to a USB port signal for interface with a computer.

Abstract: This invention is a tool for plunge cutting comprising a motor, a transmission connected to the motor and a blade assembly connected to the transmission, wherein the blades move in an oppositely reciprocating and sliding manner to provide plunge cuts of variable depth with closed ends and a continuous perimeter. The tool of the invention may be held and operated with one hand.

Abstract: Aircraft components utilize flexible fluted extruded twin wall plastic sheet to form aileron hinges, horizontal staibilizers and elevators, vertical stabilizers and rudders, compound landing gear, struts, and control systems which are lighter in weight and lower in cost than previously available structures. The landing gear has damping characteristics superior to previous gear. The invention is particularly well suited to remotely controlled flying model aircraft.

Abstract: A tool for precisely severing sheet material at a uniform predetermined distance from the line of intersection of two surfaces. A wide variety of precise cutting operations may be performed, including operations that leave a uniform predetermined overlap and operations that precisely sever the sheet material at the line of intersection. The tool has a body with a flat bottom surface, a straight front edge, a beveled surface extending between the front edge and the bottom surface and thumb screws for securely retaining a cutting blade. Also disclosed is a removable spacer plate which may be engaged with the body to perform additional cutting operations.