RC Airplane guys have been responsible for lots of innovation and inventions over the last 80 or so years of full scale and model airplane flight. Glues, plastics, and methods of construction to name a few. The latest changes are GREEN in nature, and I would like to talk about how we, a bunch of RC Airplane hobbyists are trying to do our part as well...
The plane I'm holding on the left side is a small Extra 300s scale airplane. It is powered with a Lipo battery, just like your cell phone...Each Lipo cell holds about 3.3V, and you can purchase them in different sizes (capacities) measured in milliamps. Depending on the size of the airplane, and the performance you want to see, you will add additional Lipo cells in order to get the motor to turn a specific number of RPM's. In this specific case, I'm using a 3S 2100mAH Lipo battery. (3 cells in series) This provide enough power to cruise around 70-75mph for a good 10-12 minutes, and even longer if I manage the throttle a bit. (This is about the max time you can fly a gas/nitro powered model, too.)
Electric flight has been around for a while, but it's never been "good". In other words, the batteries work the best for the first minute or so, and then you can visibly see the discharge taking place as you fly around (ie. power drops). This situation occurs using dry cells, Nicad, and Nimh batteries. Lipo batteries work differently - they discharge at a constant voltage and current, until it's "done".
What this means for modelers, is that they now can keep up, and in many cases surpass the prevalent Nitro and Gasoline and Deisel motors in both performance, and cost of operation, not to mention COMPLETELY eliminate any greenhouse-effect gases (exhaust).
I have a Lipo-battery powered RC helicopter that consistantly outperforms the same size Nitro fuel helicopter in power and duration of flight. Not to mention that there's no oily residue on my aircraft!
Just like the new green hybrid cars, there's up front costs that are higher, but the electrical powered vehicles always "win" over time. For RC stuff, you will have to purchase the batteries which cost as much as several gallons of RC Fuel (approx $20/gallon), and you will also need a specialized charger and cell balancer. The charger and cell balancer can obviously be reused for each additional model you have. The car manufacturers have to incorporate this technology into the car before you drive away from the dealership, and that's probably one of the main reasons for the higher purchase price of hybrid vehicles.
It is a proven fact that the RC industry drove the real R&D for alternate power, and for that I'm very proud. Our only salvation from this terrible financial and economic burden is for us to find an accepted and reasonably prices alternate energy source, and then once we find that "magic alternative", getting the people to embrace it is the next task...but I'll save that for another time!
Happy Flying!
Mark Turkel, Senior Editor
BeGreenSaveTheWorld.com