How to get Electrified

This is by far not the only way to learn how to build and fly electric model airplanes, but an explanation of how I went about learning how it is done

There are a few differences

While electric model airplanes are no secret there are a few differences in the way they are built and powered compared to regular internal combustible engine powered planes. I started the wrong way by not seeking the advice of those that had already accomplished the feat. As you know, regular gas powered models are build with strength in mind to survive crashes and are thus heavier than there electric counter parts. However, with the careful selection of wood, covering, batteries, and the radio components, electric models exhibit comparable strength while weighing far less. There have been many models converted to electric that were once gas models including the Sig 4 Star 40, Sig Astro Hog, and a multitude of others.

I started into electric because I saw what I thought was a great deal on eBay and purchased a model that included the motor. I then needed the other components just to make it fly. This was totally a very bad decision on my part. Had I consulted someone that was already flying electric I would have know not to buy what I did. Well, I had the kit and the motor so to heck with everything else I was going to build and fly this model. I waited weeks to buy a speed control on eBay. Totally the wrong type as it was an older model and could not handle the power I intended to fly with. I also had to convert the speed control plugs to Futaba and still needed to buy servos. I had know idea what type of batteries to buy and purchased one of those 6 - cell car type with around a 1200 mah rating, again, totally wrong. With the plane built and all the radio and battery installed it was just a little heavy, but out to the field I went. Flicking on the switch and pressing the “Go” button, I cranked up the throttle and away the little bird went. Wow! An 80-foot takeoff run, not bad for electric! Climb to around 100 feet and fight the trim all the way. Then, just as fast as I went up the battery gave all it had and down it came resting in about two to three hundred pieces on the ground. As you can see, what I thought was a great deal really turned out to be more than I had planned to both spend and accomplish.

So, you want to fly electric? Well let me explain a few thing first, so you don’t make the same mistakes I made. Getting into electric doesn’t have to be expensive or hard. There are a few ways to get into flying and electric plane so that you don’t have to spend a months salary on radio equipment and building them is not as hard as one would think. The key to building light is selection of building materials, radio equipment, and batteries used for flight. With the new smaller, lower priced radios the selection is almost natural in receivers, servos, and speed controls. The use of contest grade balsa, lite - ply, and styrene make it possible to build very light models that fly very well. Hitec offers a FM radio with 3 channels that is ultra lite with extremely small servos. Batteries! Well that is totally a subject on it own. As you can see, building and flying is not as hard as one would think and you don’t have to make the mistakes I did.

Package Selection

If you have flown R\C for a while then you may want to go for the easy way into electric models. Most of us have small servos and a receiver laying around just collecting dust and taking up space. All you need then is a speed control, motor, and batteries. Choosing a model to put everything in is probably the hardest part. Building a kit or buying an ARF is about the two best choices for those that want to get started. My personal choice is an ARF as the prices these days make it a very attractive alternative to building a kit or scratch building your own design. There are many models to choose from, beginners, sport, and expert designs abound. If you’re a beginner take a look at the Light Stick as it is a very simple to build and fly model airplane. For all around sport flying the Mini Funtana Extreme comes to mind. For those that want a little more in there flying, try a Brio with a 10 on the front and it won’t let you down. So, if you have flown R/C then you might want to start into electric with an ARF.

Make sure you seek the advice from others in your club and avoid the mistakes I made along the way. Choose wisely your plane, motor, and batteries. You’ll be glad you did and having a blast at the field while others are sitting on the round trying to start that old gas engine.