Welcome to the fastest growing area of powered model flight! Electric power can be used for any kind of flying - powered gliders, scale, aerobatics - in fact, almost any model aircraft can be successfully converted to electric power. The reason why electric flight is becoming so popular is the convenience and capability of the electric flight power system. You can fly your model at your local park, recharge the battery in 15 minutes from your car's battery and fly again. And of course, electric power systems are quiet, clean and cost almost nothing to run.

The Electric Flight System

Electric-powered model kits often include a ferrite can motor, propeller and sometimes a servo-operated on-off switch, leaving you to buy a battery pack and charger. However, a better option is to use a speed controller in place of the switch. In addition to giving full control of the motor rather than just on or off, speed controllers also eliminate the need for a receiver battery pack and a servo to operate the motor switch, saving weight and space. Find out more about electric power systems on our Electric Equipment page.

Types of Electric Powered Aircraft

Park and Indoor Flyers
If you live in an area where there isn't much good flying weather, then indoor flying is for you! Indoor models are just small (around 30 inch wingspan) electric planes that usually weigh around 7 ounces (200 grams) or less. They usually come as "Almost Ready to Fly" kits, often complete with motor and gearbox, leaving you with very little building to do. To fly them you'll need a gym or hall the size of at least two basketball courts joined together. Or you could fly them outside on a calm day. To find out more about park flyers and indoor flyers, click here!
Powered Gliders
For easier launching, many gliders are powered by electric motors. Gliding is one of the most intriguing forms of radio controlled flying. It involves using currents of rising air called lift to remain airborne. The stability and slow flying speed of a basic 3 channel powered sailplane such as the Great Planes Spectra shown opposite makes them perfect for inexperienced pilots. Powered gliders are also a convenient way of getting into thermal soaring, without having to worry about setting up launching equipment. To find out more about powered gliders, click here!
Scale Models
Scale models are an exciting next step after you've built and mastered a trainer. Electric power lends itsself well to the art of scale modelling - especially small models. There are many kits available, but a great way to get into electric scale is with an "Almost Ready to Fly" indestructible foam kit. Or you might want to build something unusual - a full-size aircraft that is hardly ever modelled - from scratch. The reward, after plenty of painstaking effort, is a photo-perfect reproduction of the real plane. The possibilities are endless! To find out more about scale electric models, click here!

How much does it cost?
How much you spend will depend on what you want to do. The cheapest way to get into electric powered planes (in fact radio-controlled flying in general) by far is with a kit called the Firebird, which comes with literally everything you'll need to fly (including the radio, motor, batteries and charger) for as little as $A200!

There are, of course, many other types of kits available on the market suitable for beginners. And like any hobby, you can spend as little or as much as you want. Suffice to say, for around $A800 (that's roughly how much you would pay to get into IC powerered planes with a reasonable trainer kit and some basic field accessories), you could be flying a beautiful scale Spitfire or a high performance powered glider!

Introduction | Electric Flight | Thermal Soaring | Slope Soaring Electric Flight: Introduction | Equipment | Park Flyers | Powered Gliders | Scale