At a student presentation hosted by the Rockville Centre Union Free School District, student Jay Farrah demonstrated a radio-controlled model of an F-16 Fighting Falcon and described the model’s major components and how they function.

Farrah opened by noting, “This is not a real plane,” and said the model is produced by BVM and built as a scale RC aircraft. He described the cockpit’s small figure and what he called a “realistic flight control board,” and said he would include photographs to show details not visible to the audience.

Farrah explained the model’s propulsion system and fuel: the turbine is a small jet engine that, he said, runs on conventional jet fuels and most commonly on Jet A. He identified the wings’ control surfaces, saying the model combines ailerons and flaps in one control (he referred to them collectively during the presentation), and described elevators as the surfaces that change pitch and the rudder as used “mainly for steering.”

He also described lighting and visual effects, including a red “Astroburner” light he said is used to simulate an operating engine, and discussed landing gear that he said uses pneumatics and includes a steerable nose wheel and rear-wheel brakes. Farrah noted the model also has speed brakes, which he explained are larger surfaces that reduce overall aerodynamic efficiency to slow the aircraft.

Farrah’s presentation focused on mechanical descriptions and demonstrations; there was no formal discussion of regulation, public safety, or flight operations during his remarks.

Farrah provided a mix of technical terms and lay descriptions and said he would supply photographs to show details that were not visible from the stage.