| Until recently, most rc airplanes were | | | | expensive to make. Its advantages are no |
| powered by small two-stroke engines, using | | | | maintenance and higher performance. |
| liquid fuels. Models powered by electric | | | | |
| motors were very uncommon, due to the | | | | There are three main types of battery packs |
| excessive weight of the power system and | | | | in use for electric airplane motors. These |
| battery. However, the electric rc airplane | | | | are Nickel Cadmium (NiCad), Nickel Metal |
| has become commonplace, especially in models | | | | Hydride (NiMH) and Lithium Polymer (LiPo). |
| meant for beginner pilots. | | | | LiPo batteries are lighter for a given |
| | | | application, but are more expensive than |
| Electric power advantages include | | | | NiCad or NiMH. |
| reliability, convenience, low noise, low | | | | |
| vibration, and clean operation. The | | | | Electric rc airplane types include powered |
| disadvantage of early systems was low power | | | | sailplanes, indoor flyers, scale models, |
| relative to weight. However modern electric | | | | aerobatic models, and ducted fan (jet-type). |
| airplane motors, combined with advanced | | | | Virtually any type of rc model can now be |
| batteries, have increased the performance of | | | | electric powered. Even electric helicopters |
| electric rc airplanes by leaps and bounds. | | | | are now a practical reality. For the |
| | | | beginner, something slow and stable is |
| In the more common Brushed motors, current | | | | recommended for a trainer aircraft. |
| switching is done using sliding contacts | | | | |
| known as brushes. These brushes get hot and | | | | Visit the RC Airplane Advisor for more info |
| wear out over time. In Brushless motors, the | | | | about Electric RC Airplanes. |
| switching happens electronically using a | | | | |
| special speed controller. This second type | | | | This article may be reprinted if proper |
| of motor and its controller are more | | | | credit is given and all links left intact. |