Back in the day, most, if not all RC planes were powered by internal combustion (IC) engines. However, today, electric-powered planes (EP) easily make up the majority of the commercial market. So, the question is: Are EP planes better than IC planes? The short answer is “NO” - they both have their own pros and cons and in today’s blog, we will (objectively) look at both power choices.
Why Have Electric Powered Planes Become So Popular?
There are two key reasons why EP planes have toppled their predecessor: technological advancement, and social/ environmental concerns. When EP planes were first introduced, they were terribly underpowered and their performance just didn’t justify the price. The combination of a primitive brushed motor and an overly heavy and inefficient NiCad battery pronounced their death even before leaving the hangar. Ultimately, they were deemed impractical and no one really gave them a second thought.
Fast forward a few years - technological advances revolutionize just about all industries and EP planes were reincarnated stronger than ever. Not only were the components cheaper to make, but they were also much more sophisticated. Advances in both electric motor and battery technology put EP planes back on the radar and they were greeted with overwhelming enthusiasm.
The single greatest factor that made EP planes so popular was their appeal to beginners. Sporting a much shorter learning curve, coupled with reduced prices, RC planes, for the first time, were easily accessible for everyone. Compared to IC planes, EP planes were also easier to maintain and overall, just a much cleaner product to enjoy which leads us to the second point: social/ environmental concerns.
As social awareness becomes more prominent, the fumes and sounds that are produced as by-products from IC engines are greatly frowned upon by the public. Gone are the days when you could fly your IC plane in the park without getting barked at; gone are the days when you could fly your IC plane in your backyard without getting the cops called on you – today, IC planes are almost exclusively flown at the clubs.
IC Engines: Pros & Cons
Pros
- Brings another level of realism to the hobby; the sound, the smell, the rumbling, the smoke – who doesn’t want all that HEAT?
- Maximum nostalgic factor and “Scale Performance” which is otherwise unobtainable with an EP plane.
- Tinkering with the different components of an engine - crankshaft, pistons, carburetor, e.g.- you will pick up a certain degree of mechanical skills.
- More climate resistant than most EP planes. For example, they can continue flying in a downpour and are not as affected by the cold temperatures.
- Does not require any electrical peripherals such as an ESC, a charger, and voltmeter, etc.
Cons
- Most IC planes today can only be flown exclusively at a club or on private land. Indoor flying is pretty much non-existent.
- They can get very loud and not everyone is a fan of the fumes.
- There is an initial learning curve that can be off-putting for beginners.
- Requires a much higher degree of maintenance and in the long term, operational costs are higher due to having to purchase fuel.
- Not as readily available compared to EP planes.
Electric Planes: Pros & Cons
Pros
- Much shorter learning curve compared to IC planes – perfect for beginners.
- Initial and ongoing costs are relatively lower.
- Do not pose any environmental issues and can be flown without the restrictions that come with an IC plane; not essential to join a club.
- Require minimal maintenance and are highly repairable.
- Quiet and clean, making them easily accepted by the public.
Cons
- Run-time is ultimately dictated by the capacity of your batteries as well as how many spares you bring to the field.
- Requires various electrical peripherals including but not limited to batteries, charger, motor, ESC, and voltmeter.
- Battery – mostly LiPos- can be fairly dangerous if not properly handled.
IC or EP Plane: Which Should I Choose?
If you are a beginner, then we would definitely recommend starting with an electric RC plane as the learning curve is much shorter, and minimal maintenance is required. Once you have some experience under your belt and want to explore further in the hobby, then definitely buy an IC plane. In fact, most seasoned hobbyists will have a mix of IC and EP planes in their hangar – it is inevitable once you fully commit yourself to the hobby!
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