RE: whats the difference between gas and electric air planes?
I would say those numbers are pretty accurate. I was at a contest this weekend and 2 of the top 10 US pattern flyers were there and they are both flying electric. I know Chip and Jason are also electric now, Im betting most if not all of them are electric by now.
Pattern likes electric because it allows you to fly a slower and more constant speed with tremendous authority. That allows you more time to setup and draw your maneuver geometry more precisely. You just cant fly that slowly with a liquid fuel plane. You can swing a MUCH larger prop with an electric. A typical electric swings a 21-22" prop, a comparable glow swings an 18" prop.