RCU Forums - View Single Post - Aerodynamic considerations for a speed plane design
Old 11-01-2011 | 07:07 PM
  #170  
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iron eagel
 
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From: Middleboro, MA
Default RE: Aerodynamic considerations for a speed plane design

With an electric you have you maximum power available from the start, so your main concern is not to overload the motor for extended times as I understand it. With a electric motor your power is constant and dependent upon the load the prop presents to it, or the draw if you will. If you look at the flight data you will notice an interesting quirk to an electric motor it get it's best efficiency at the top end, as the prop unloads the load to the motor or power required actually drops off a bit. During the flight the average power draw was around 425 watts roughly half the manufactures rated nominal power (whatever that means) I am taking it as the max continuous rating. When the prop unloaded the power level dropped as low as 125 watts my guess is at that point of time the motor was at close to it max efficiency, I bet the prop was keeping the plane from going faster then.
Edit to add:
Never got to fly today, got involved in putting a new roof on a building at our clubs' field instead.