Electric RC Airplanes

In the recent past, almost all rc airplanes were powered by
small internal combustion engines, using liquid
fuels. Models powered by electric motors were few
and far between. The electric rc airplane is now becoming much
more common, especially in models designed for beginning pilots.

Electric power advantages include reliability,
convenience, low noise, low vibration, and lack of fuel residue
(clean). �The disadvantage of early systems was low power.
However recent electric airplane motors, combined with advanced
batteries, have increased the performance of electric rc
airplanes dramatically. � In the more common Brushed
motors, current switching is done using sliding contacts
known as brushes. The contacts get hot and wear out over time.
In Brushless motors, the switching happens electronically
using a special voltage regulator (speed controller). This
second type of motor and its controller are more expensive to
make. Its advantages are no maintenance and higher performance.

There are three main types of batteries in use for
electric airplane motors.� These are Nickel Cadmium (NiCad),
Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH) and Lithium Polymer (LiPo). LiPo
batteries are lighter for a given application, but tend to be
more expensive than NiCad or NiMH.� � Electric rc airplane
types include powered sailplanes, scale models, aerobatic
models, and ducted fan (jet-type). Virtually any type of rc
model can now be electric powered. Even powerful electric
helicopters are now a reality. In addition, some new types of rc
models have emerged that were not practical before, e.g.
parkflyers and indoor flyers. For the beginner, something slow
and stable is recommended for a trainer aircraft.

Visit the RC Airplane Advisor for more info
about Electric RC Airplanes.

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This entry was posted on Monday, September 15th, 2008 at 5:47 pm and is filed under RC Planes. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.