RE: LIFE battery charging in the plane question
So much misinformation in this thread.
1. Charge batteries with the correct charger
2. Monitor batteries when charging
3. Cycle your battieres when you first get them to see if they are at the rated capacity and discharge them at the rate used in the plane at max working load IE say 750-1,000 MAH per servo. Once cycled a couple of times write down the dishcharge time and capacity save it for later use. Cycle your batteries once a month out of the plane (balance them if LiFe or LiPo)
4. Know the discharge curve of your batteries
5. Only Fly to the 50% of capacity or while talking at the club top off at the field
6. Read the directions that come with the battery and know how to use your batteries
Most problems with equipment in our planes, cars, boats, helis and so on are user error not equipment error!