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