Originally Posted by Dave Harmon

I think there is a general thought that the heavier and larger the airplanes are will drive up the cost because the thought is that they will require larger engines/motors and the associated larger amounts of fuel....either liquid or solid. Also...there is a size restriction....which goes hand in hand with the weight....ie...can't make E-planes much lighter than they are today unless the size is reduced or a new material and new techniques come along.





I can't imagine where you are getting those cost numbers from.
(edit....because of the way you worded your above comment....I assumed that you did not include the cost of the Essence...."cost to outfit the plane".

Motor $560
Esc $150
4 servos about $110 each
Replacement hardware about $50>$75 depending on choice
Spinner Falcon $70
Prop...the most expensive 3 blade is about $150
Motor mount about $50
4 sets of batteries about $800 for the good stuff
Misc stuff glue etc...$50

Total $2345 not counting the radio.

I don't get you thought process.



Agreed....totally!



Glow airplanes....especially 4 stroke powered must be built to withstand the pounding of the engine...so that makes the empty airframe weigh a lot more.
Of course....E-power does not have the vibration problem so everything can be built much, much lighter....this includes the hardware, linkages and all other stuff.
I have not mentioned the additional weight of glassed surfaces and painted wings and tail, adjusters and more glue and structure.
Electric planes don't need most of that stuff.....except paint...of course paint is just preference by the builder but most painters don't know when to quit...including me.

One other thing that I was told a long time ago....'no one flies inexpensively.....you can minimize the cost but flying is always expensive.'
And.....you get what you pay for.

Dave