electric stunt

[Jim Morris]

I heard a recent quote. If your not flying electric in two years you wont be competetive. I strongly disagree. I for one dont want to fly electric,if someone els does thats good, but I love a good engine run. I would hate to see an electric Harley or Indian, That would blow all the wind out of that sail. Just my 2 cents worth.

[Kim Doherty]

I heard a recent quote. If your not flying electric in two years you wont be competetive. I strongly disagree. I for one dont want to fly electric,if someone els does thats good, but I love a good engine run. I would hate to see an electric Harley or Indian, That would blow all the wind out of that sail. Just my 2 cents worth.

Jim,

I think you will be able to challenge for the Walker Cup with an IC powered model for a long time to come. Any plane that could be considered "competititive" within the last dozen years or more will remain just as competitive unless the pattern is changed or some other wholesale change is brought about that renders current aerodynamic and power train thinking redundant.

Within the realm of being "competitive" there is however a range of ability that is to some extent governed by the "flexibility" of the power train and the ability of the operator to match it to the conditions that prevail at the time of the contest. Cool mornings, hot afternoons, high or low humidity, high or low density altitude and wind strength all can play havoc with an IC powered model. An electric power train while not totally imune to these effects is much better able to adapt to and deliver the required performance on command in a consistent, repeatable manner. At the top end of the competitive ladder, "consistent, repeatable and flexible" are next to the second comming.

At the moment, electric powered models at the top end give absolutely nothing away to any other form of power. Over the next couple of years you will see an increasing number of electric powered models that will be competitive with with any other model regarless of power train. Cost is still the largest limiting factor in the adoption of electric power systems.

What is true is that the learning curve involved in developing a competitive electric power train is steep and also costly. Like any other endeavour, those that spend the time and make the effort to learn and master new skills will be better positioned to capitalize on new developments in technology. There is no question in my mind that as time marches on the majority of our models will be powered by electric motors. There is still plenty of time to win "THE BIG ONE" with an IC powered model. (12 to 18 months at least!     )


Kim.   

[jfv]

To see where electric may be heading just take a look at this. 

[Marvin Denny]

 HMMM  15 Minutes at full power is not very long.  Say then at half power that would make 30 minutes flight time  which is not enough to get anywhere.  Also then you got to recharge for 24 hours???  Not yet practical.  then you got hazardious waste disposal when the batteries  start going bad. .  HMMM  For my part, things will have to improve a LOT  before I even think about changing.

  Bigiron

[Dick Fowler]

To see where electric may be heading just take a look at this. 

While watching this video, I kept thinking that somewhere out there is an RC guy who watched this and is shopping for some really big servos!

[taildragger-j3]

I know there's lots of conversation about how good electrics have become. I've had a couple and I guess they have been OK, but they don't capture me the way glow engines do. I'm sure it's at least in part because I'm an old guy who wants to relive my youth through modeling.

I don't want to take an international flight in a DC-7. I don't want to drive a Model T to work everyday. I live at a computer monitor. So, I don't think I'm just a luddite, but I don't feel the need to jump on the eflite bandwagon when my glow planes fly well, and give me an esoteric reconnection with my past.