Model Airplanes can be powered in a number of ways.
Some plane models are powered using gasoline and a 2- or 4-cycle engines.
Some model airplane motors are powered using electricity or CO2.
Some rubber band powered motors are simple flyers that are can be launched by simply throwing the model airplane into the air.
Electric Motors
Model Airplanes can be powered by Electric engines which are clean and quiet.
The battery that supplies power to the electric engines must be fully charged for the flight. Once charged for the appropriate amount of time, an electric engine can provide several minutes of flight for the model airplane. In flight, electric engines typically produce a “buzz” and are considered more quiet than gasoline powered engines.
Gasoline Powered Engines
Unlike motors, gasoline powered engines produce internal or external combustion. Gas powered engines vary in size and must accommodate the weight of the model airplane. Gasoline engines are typically 2- or 4-cycle and require both gasoline and oil. Most Radio-control and U-control model airplanes use gasoline powered engines. Depending on the size of the engine and model airplane, flight times are generally up to 10 minutes.
CO2 Motors
CO2 Motors are more quiet than gasoline-powered engines, and require CO2 under pressure to be pumped into the tank up to 1200 psi. CO2 charges the tank attached to the motor. Scale Models, fiberglass models and other lightweight aircraft can be equipped with CO2 engines. Flight times vary, and most flights can last up to 5 minutes.
Rubber-band Powered Motors
Model Airplanes that use rubber-band power are typically free-flight models. These are lightweight airplanes made of Balsa Wood and Tissue or Mylar Paper. It’s important to provide the correct size (not the length) of the rubber band since these models fly with rubber band motors. Flight times vary widely, and most lightweight rubber band powered models can stay in flight for several minutes.
Simple Flyers
Model Airplanes that fly by the force of a hand are typically made from kits. These simple models are usually made of lightweight Balsa Wood or Foam. These are great starter airplane model kits that kids can quickly put together and learn to fly. These Simple Flyers allow the model to be held in the hand and launched — just as you might throw a baseball. The throw provides the forward thrust that releases these simple model airplane flyers and launches it into flight.
