| Model airplanes can be flying, or non-flying scale | | | | for model airplanes, and can be found in |
| models of airplanes that already exist, or imaginary | | | | children’s toys, all the way to professional model |
| ones that we would like to exist. Model airplanes are | | | | aircraft. |
| usually constructed of balsa wood, fiberglass or foam. | | | | The reason the elastic motor is so popular of course, |
| So many designs are possible, from gliders to large, | | | | is because of its simplicity and the ability to have a long |
| very accurate scale models that are bigger then some | | | | lifetime. Also, there is no waiting for the battery to |
| people! | | | | charge or having to buy fuel for the engine. Of course |
| There are two types of model airplanes, a static | | | | the major drawback is that fact that it can only run for |
| non-flying model, or a flying model. This is very | | | | a certain amount of time, which depends on how long |
| important to choose right from the beginning, as | | | | your rubber band is. |
| construction for each type will vary greatly. Of course | | | | Another simple propulsion method is storing |
| though, it is possible to turn a static airplane later on into | | | | compressed gas, CO2 to be more specific, and having |
| a flying model, you would just need to do a major | | | | it come out the back to push it along. You could even |
| overhaul and add the necessities to get it into the air. | | | | get real complicated, and have the CO2 power a |
| Model airplanes that fly can usually be placed into one | | | | piston expansion engine. CO2 engines, like elastic |
| of the three different groups. The first group is free | | | | motors, are considered cold power, because the |
| flight, which basically means that the aircraft is built and | | | | engines become cold when running, not hot like fuel |
| designed to fly without any attachment to the ground | | | | powered engines and batteries. |
| (not even a remote control). | | | | For most hobbyists though, the standard glow engine is |
| The second group is control line flying, and this method | | | | the engine they use. A glow engine runs on the same |
| has a cable or two leading from the wing to the pilot. | | | | principal as an internal combustion engine that is in your |
| So of course it is not as realistic as a wireless one is, | | | | car, but is a very small version of it. |
| but it ensures your airplane won’t just fly away. | | | | Most commonly used by RC model airplane |
| The last group is radio-controlled model airplanes, which | | | | enthusiasts, are two stroke cycle engines, which use a |
| are the most intriguing and fun to fly, since you have | | | | glow plug to ignite fuel. The fuel is just a mix of slow |
| complete freedom of movement and YOU get to | | | | burning methanol, nitro methane and some kind of oil |
| control it. | | | | lubricant. Company’s who make model airplane |
| There are some rc airplanes that resemble real | | | | glow engines, rate their size in terms of engine |
| aircraft, just like static models, but are harder | | | | displacement. The most common sizes range from |
| considering that since they actually fly you have to | | | | 0.01 cubic inch to over 1.0 cubic inch. |
| continually keep it looking nice and the engine running | | | | The simplest, and most beginner friendly models are |
| smoothly. | | | | electric powered model airplanes, which use a battery |
| RC aircraft though do come in many different types, | | | | to power the engine. The speed is controlled through |
| as there are even remote control birds, dinosaurs, and | | | | an electronic speed control, which will regulate the |
| flying lawn mowers! The various forms that can be | | | | output of the motor. Of course the best model |
| accomplished are endless, and make for some pretty | | | | airplanes to put an electric motor in, is small and |
| interesting looking aircraft. | | | | lightweight ones. |
| For free flight model airplanes, an elastic motor is | | | | If you want a big, heavy airplane, then a glow engine |
| usually used to power them. An elastic motor is simply | | | | fuel powered airplane is what you want. If you just |
| a rubber band that is wound up very tight before flying, | | | | want a simple small model airplane, then you want an |
| and then released to make the propeller turn. The | | | | electric RC airplane. |
| elastic motor is actually the most widely used engine | | | | |