'Gas' RC airplanes (glow/nitro)

- choosing the right plane

The term gas rc airplanes is rather a generic one that is often used to cover all types of IC (internal combustion) powered planes, but this page talks about the most popular kind - glow plug or 'nitro' planes as opposed to gasoline or diesel powered.

Glow, glow plug and nitro are just different names for exactly the same thing and such planes account for the majority of models found at your average rc airplane club field, although it does have to be said that electric planes are quickly catching up in terms of popularity.

These days, building and flying gas rc airplanes is easier than it ever has been in the past, with thanks going to the modern day RTF glow plug trainers such as the Alpha Trainer and the NexStar Select 46, both shown below.

Above, the Hanger 9 Alpha Trainer DSM2, and Hobbico's trustee NexStar Select
- two excellent rc gas trainers

Both the NexStar Select and the Alpha Trainer have proved to be two very popular products. Both come with rc flight simulation software, which is an excellent way of getting to know the airplane before you take to the skies.

The NexStar Select is packed with many features not found on other trainers, all designed to make learning to fly as easy and as safe as possible. And the newer Alpha Trainer comes with the latest DSM2 spread spectrum radio technology; it's the first RTF gas airplane to be sold with a 2.4GHz radio set as standard although this trend will become the norm as time goes by.
Both have extremely stable flying characteristics - exactly what you need in your early days as an rc pilot.

RTF gas rc airplanes like these are letting more and more people take to the skies with a proper multi-channel gas rc airplane. This kind of model is perfect as an introduction to gas powered rc flying, either from scratch or as a natural progression from electric rc flying.

See the Alpha Trainer DSM2 and NexStar Select in more detail.

Glow plug RTF trainers like those shown above can be assembled in not much time, which is a great incentive for anyone looking to start flying gas rc airplanes with the minimum amount of fuss, and in the shortest possible time.
Having said that though, instruction manuals do need to be read, understood and followed thoroughly and the completed airplane should always be checked over by a competent modeler prior to flight; even basic trainers can have their small complexities! If you intend joining a local flying club and getting one to one instruction, then your instructor will check the plane over before its maiden flight.

Scale gas RC airplanes

Maybe you like the idea of flying scale gas rc airplanes? A scale model is one that has been modeled from a real-life plane.
The choice of scale RTF airplanes isn't quite as large as non-scale, but there are plenty available. Certainly the majority of popular airplanes can be found in radio control form. Of course, Ready To Fly isn't your only option; assembling an ARF (Almost Ready To Fly) or building from a kit or plan greatly extends the range of scale gas rc airplanes available - just about every real plane in the world has been modeled one way or another!

Popular scale subjects for rc pilots include P-51 Mustangs and other warbirds, Piper Cubs, Cessnas and vintage planes to name but a few.

A Piper Cub makes an excellent scale trainer and is very stable, forgiving and easy to fly. The real Cub is one of the most famous trainers of them all, and is loved by pilots the world over - reasons why an rc version is such a popular choice. Ideally fitted with a 4 stroke glow plug or gasoline engine, a good quality Cub is always a pleasure to fly and offers a very relaxing experience!

While a Cub makes an excellent trainer, a warbird like a P-51 Mustang or Corsair generally doesn't and is better suited to a 2nd or 3rd model, after you've gained some experience. The faster flying speeds and lower stability of rc warbirds make them more exciting in the air, but more of a handful to learn on!
Having said that though, one exception to that rule is Hanger 9's PTS Advance Trainer Mustang, shown below:

A P-51 isn't good for a first-time trainer, but this PTS Advance Trainer Mustang
has actually been designed with beginners in mind

This particular glow plug powered airplane features a few things to make it as stable as possible in the air, and easy to control at slower flying speeds. So, if you don't want to take the normal option of learning to fly on a high wing trainer, the PTS Mustang would be a nice choice of model.

As previously mentioned, scale gas rc airplanes are made all the more realistic by using a 4 stroke engine instead of a higher revving 2 stroke. The quieter, deeper sound made by a 4 stroke engine is much nicer to hear in a scale model plane, especially at lower throttle speeds.

Important points to remember

Typical gas rc training airplanes ('trainers') generally follow a basic pattern; they are of a high-wing design with noticeable dihedral, which is the upward angle of each wing when viewed from the front.
They typically vary around the '40' or '46' size, that's to say that they are built to take a 40 or 46 (.40/.46 cu.in) 2 stroke glow plug engine, and have a wingspan of around 60 inches (the Alpha Trainer shown above is a very typical gas trainer).

This style of trainer is the most stable in the air, which is exactly what you need when learning to fly. So it's best to start with this shape airplane and work your way up to faster, more aerobatic (low wing) airplanes as you gain experience.

A few other points to bear in mind are:

Flying gas rc airplanes might restrict you to flying at a model flying club if you don't know anyone with, or have access to, any private land (access with permission, of course!). Use our rc club directory to try and find your local club. Only electric rc airplanes are acceptable in places like public parks.
Gas rc airplanes do require certain items of field equipment because of the engine. You can read about these essential accessories here.
Gas planes are not as simple as electric ones, the engine alone means a higher level of maintenance is required.
Flying gas planes is more 'involved' than electric, but can be more satisfying if you're mechanically minded!

But with those points said, bear these further things in mind:

1. Joining a model flying club is a great thing to do; you'll make new friends, learn heaps of stuff and be able to share your enthusiasm with lots of folks who will actually understand your new found passion!

2. Although some accessories are essential, many of them can be lent to you by fellow modelers that you fly with - especially at your local club. So in your early days, you can get away without buying everything in one hit.

3. Higher levels of maintenance and involvement is never a bad thing; you get to learn a lot more about your plane and how it works, and as a result you'll know more about the hobby.

Gas rc airplanes will bring you lots of fun and excitement, but do be aware that they are a few steps up from simple electric models, both in terms of learning and cost. Having said that though, prices are falling and a fully RTF trainer with a 2.4GHz radio system for just a few hundred dollars is a very good sign of things to come!

So even if you're only slightly thinking about getting into this section of the hobby, why not try and contact your local club, pop along to their flying field and chat to some pilots to see how it's done.

The gas rc airplanes on this page can be seen in more detail here.

Gas, glow & nitro - what's in a name?

It's inevitable that different people in different parts of the world call the same things different names, and while 'gas' is short for gasoline in North America it's also often used to generically describe IC (internal combustion) powered rc models in general. You might also see such planes referred to as 'gassers'.
Glow plug is actually the 'correct' term for the planes talked about on this page and nitro is just another name that's been adopted from the radio control car world - cars (and boats) were marketed with the name 'nitro' because it made them sound faster, even though they're still glow plug powered. The word nitro is also a reference to nitromethane, an ingredient used in many rc glow fuels.

Gas trainer airplanes - a small selection of suitable gas trainers.