Model Airplanes Explained - From Static to Flying Models

Model airplanes can be flying, or non-flying scalewidely used engine for model airplanes, and can be
models of airplanes that already exist, or imaginaryfound in children's toys, all the way to professional
ones that we would like to exist. Model airplanes aremodel aircraft.
usually constructed of balsa wood, fiberglass or foam.The reason the elastic motor is so popular of course,
So many designs are possible, from gliders to large,is because of its simplicity and the ability to have a
very accurate scale models that are bigger thenlong lifetime. Also, there is no waiting for the battery
some people!to charge or having to buy fuel for the engine. Of
There are two types of model airplanes, a staticcourse the major drawback is that fact that it can
non-flying model, or a flying model. This is veryonly run for a certain amount of time, which depends
important to choose right from the beginning, ason how long your rubber band is.
construction for each type will vary greatly. OfAnother simple propulsion method is storing
course though, it is possible to turn a static airplanecompressed gas, CO2 to be more specific, and
later on into a flying model, you would just need tohaving it come out the back to push it along. You
do a major overhaul and add the necessities to get itcould even get real complicated, and have the CO2
into the air.power a piston expansion engine. CO2 engines, like
Model airplanes that fly can usually be placed into oneelastic motors, are considered cold power, because
of the three different groups. The first group is freethe engines become cold when running, not hot like
flight, which basically means that the aircraft is builtfuel powered engines and batteries.
and designed to fly without any attachment to theFor most hobbyists though, the standard glow engine
ground (not even a remote control).is the engine they use. A glow engine runs on the
The second group is control line flying, and thissame principal as an internal combustion engine that is
method has a cable or two leading from the wing toin your car, but is a very small version of it.
the pilot. So of course it is not as realistic as aMost commonly used by RC model airplane
wireless one is, but it ensures your airplane won't justenthusiasts, are two stroke cycle engines, which use
fly away.a glow plug to ignite fuel. The fuel is just a mix of
The last group is radio-controlled model airplanes,slow burning methanol, nitro methane and some kind
which are the most intriguing and fun to fly, sinceof oil lubricant. Company's who make model airplane
you have complete freedom of movement and YOUglow engines, rate their size in terms of engine
get to control it.displacement. The most common sizes range from
There are some rc airplanes that resemble real0.01 cubic inch to over 1.0 cubic inch.
aircraft, just like static models, but are harderThe simplest, and most beginner friendly models are
considering that since they actually fly you have toelectric powered model airplanes, which use a battery
continually keep it looking nice and the engine runningto power the engine. The speed is controlled through
smoothly.an electronic speed control, which will regulate the
RC aircraft though do come in many different types,output of the motor. Of course the best model
as there are even remote control birds, dinosaurs,airplanes to put an electric motor in, is small and
and flying lawn mowers! The various forms that canlightweight ones.
be accomplished are endless, and make for someIf you want a big, heavy airplane, then a glow engine
pretty interesting looking aircraft.fuel powered airplane is what you want. If you just
For free flight model airplanes, an elastic motor iswant a simple small model airplane, then you want an
usually used to power them. An elastic motor iselectric RC airplane.
simply a rubber band that is wound up very tightView our great selection of high quality model
before flying, and then released to make theairplanes that will fit your needs at RC Model
propeller turn. The elastic motor is actually the mostAirplanes.