After about 1000 jumps in the past 4 years, Frank and I have developed the ideal drop system. Start with a Hobby Lobby $209 Senior Telemaster- reinforce the fuse at wing attach points, lg attach points, and firewall. The power comes from an Exceed monster power 160 brushless ( $50.00 !!!) turning a 22-10 prop. Batteries are two blue sky 4s 20c 5000mah ( $35.00 each) in series to give about 30v. The speed controller is a Castle Creations Ice 100 ($120.00 can't go cheap here). Performance the plane is in the air in 10 feet and gets to drop altitude quickly (800 ft spektrum telemetry). We can do 6 drops on one set of batteries. We have 2 sets right now which gives us 12 drops in a session. The batteries show 115 degrees on removal so no problem there. The speed controller never gets even warm ( ice-ice-baby). NO STARTING PROBLEMS!!!! The batteries weigh 1 pound apiece but reside in the REAR of the radio compartment for correct cg. Total cost of the power system $310 about what a small gasser costs.
Without the man on board you can hover the plane!!!!