Electric Flight Specialist since

Electric Flight Specialist since 1999

A simple guide to Electric Flight "power"

Please see our FAQ's page for help with common queries.

Power in electric flight is usually measured in watts. For example: 1 horsepower = 746 watts

You determine watts by multiplying ‘volts’ times ‘amps’. Example: 10 volts x 10 amps = 100 watts

Volts x Amps = Watts

You can determine the power requirements of a model based on the ‘Input Watts Per Pound’ guidelines found below, using the flying weight of the model (with battery)

50-70 watts per pound; Minimum level of power for decent performance, good for lightly loaded slow flyer and park flyer models

70-90 watts per pound; Trainer and slow flying scale models

90-110 watts per pound; Sport aerobatic and fast flying scale models

110-130 watts per pound; Advanced aerobatic and high-speed models

130-150 watts per pound; Lightly loaded 3D models and ducted fans

150-200+ watts per pound; Unlimited performance 3D and aerobatic models

These guidelines are generally accepted by electric flight enthusiasts but may vary depending on quality of motor and factors such such as efficiency and prop size.

To enable successful electric flight you need to make informed decisions regarding the components to use or we can suggest a package of components. Please ring or e-mail for details, packages are constantly changing as new items become available.

The electric motor you intend to use is probably lighter than an equivalent IC motor.

To keep motor selection simple we have a range of IC equivalent outrunner motors with simple designations e.g. 600WATT 40 this means the nominal power of the motor is 600Watts and is equivalent to a 40 size IC

Despite developments in cell technology the batteries used to supply the power to our motors are still slightly heavier as an energy source than a tank full of fuel! If you want an electric model to perform the same as an
IC model, the relative wing loading needs to be the same.

* Less than 15 oz/sq.ft for a floater
* 15-20 oz/sq.ft for a cabin sport model/trainer
* 20-28 oz/sq.ft for a sport low wing, 30's, warbird, etc.
* Over 30 oz/sq.ft - You're on your own!

This means to get the best performance from a given electric flight motor/battery combination the other

parts of the flight package (the model) need to be as light as possible.. This is the main difference when

comparing electric and IC flight packagesJust "think about adding lightness" whenever you are able to.

Click on the topics below for simple explanations of electric flight components.

Brushed or Brushless motors, can motors inrunners and outrunners! the basic facts (Sorry still being compiled)

Batteries explained more than just a collection of cells (Sorry still being compiled)

Gearbox's (Sorry still being compiled)