RCU Forums - View Single Post - whats the difference between gas and electric air planes?
Old 03-22-2006 | 07:12 PM
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N46203
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From: bremerton, WA
Default RE: whats the difference between gas and electric air planes?

The thing about electrics is that you only get one flight out of them before it's time to head home and recharge. If you have more than one battery that's not really a problem, or if you have a car charger, but the down time in between flights gets really annoying.

That's why I like nitro a lot better, a gallon of fuel and you can fly multiple flights back to back. If you have a quick way to change the battery for your Rx and Tx you can fly all day back to back without much pause in between.

The thing I don't like about glow planes is the fact that they are very messy. You ALWAYS get greasy film on your aircraft. They also can be a little finicky at times, but it's really not too much of a problem.

Electrics are nice because you can put the battery on, and go fly. No starting, tuning, anything.

All in all, I enjoy nitro more. But I'm a tinkerer and enjoy engines, and I don't have a working electrical port in my car for a car charger. So I only get one flight out of my electrics. But I must say, a Zagi 400 is one of the most fun planes I own, and it's an electric.

My advice to you would be to choose a plane based on its flying characteristics, and if you have the option of electric or glow, choose whichever powerplant you feel is most practical for your application.