Gas vs. electric RC flying
Which power type wins in the gas vs. electric rc flying battle?
There are, of course, pros and cons to each and hopefully this page might help you decide which type of powered rc airplane or helicopter to choose, if you're stuck in the "can't decide" category.
Flying rc airplanes and helicopters has exploded in popularity since the mid 1990s, and the hobby has been one of the fastest growing hobbies in recent years.
This has largely been due to electric rc airplanes and helicopters becoming so widely available, more affordable and easier to fly than ever before, which is a great result of the ongoing global electronic revolution.
RC model products like brushless motors and lithium polymer battery packs have turned the electric side of the hobby around, to the point where top-end brushless/Li-Po powered models can match a gas powered equivalent for performance. That was unthinkable just a few years ago!
Above, a tough call! The electric Hobbico NexStar Select EP (left) and its gas powered cousin (right) roughly matched in performance, and price!
See the NexStar Select EP and NexStar Select 46 in more detail.
Traditionally at rc flying club fields, you would have seen a larger number of gas rc airplanes and very few - if any - electric ones. But these days, go to an rc flying club and the mix of gas and electric models might be 50/50, or maybe even more electric than gas!
Of course, gas rc flying continues to be enjoyed by many many modelers, and always will be, but there is a rapidly growing percentage of flyers that are moving over to electric flight, or at least flying electric airplanes and helicopters alongside their gas models.
Gas vs. electric RC flying - pros and cons
As with everything, there are 2 sides to consider in the gas vs. electric rc flying argument.
Below is a little comparison chart, showing some fundamental points to consider when trying to decide between gas and electric powered rc aircraft. Do bear in mind though, these points apply more to airplanes than helicopters - the gap between gas and electric helicopters is marginally wider, not least in the cost category!
| POINT | GAS | ELECTRIC | COMMENTS |
| Price to buy | More expensive | Can be lots cheaper, simpler models are available | You'll definitely get started for less with electric |
| Availability | From hobby shops | From hobby & many toy shops | Gas models are more specialized, electric ones can be bought from a wide variety of places |
| Ongoing costs | Higher | Less | More maintenance, fuel costs, likely club fees/insurance etc for gas models |
| Learning curve | Steeper, proper club instruction should be sought | Less steep with a smaller 1 or 2 channel model | Electric models can be simpler to control, gas models require more respect |
| Environmental issues | Noisy & oily | Quiet & clean | You won't disturb many folks with electric flying |
| Club membership | Almost essential | Not essential | Electric models can be flown in public places but gas models should not be, they are big, fast and noisy (the nuisance factor) |
| Accessories | Essential field items needed | Very few needed | Gas models require more because of the motor, but at a club you can always borrow these to begin with |
| Maintenance | Moderate | Very little | The motor makes gas models more vulnerable to ongoing maintenance, but you'll get to learn more! |
| Repairability | Moderate to complex | More straightforward | Depends on the construction of and damage to the model, but gas planes can require more model building skills |
| Flight times | Longer | Shorter | The gap is closing as Li-Po batteries improve - not much to decide this one |
| Fun factor | Lots | Lots | Same amount of fun can be had with each! |
So, there you have it in the gas vs. electric rc flying battle. As always, these are my personal thoughts on the topic and shouldn't be taken as black and white. Also, there are always going to be very different situations depending on the size and style etc. of a particular model, but the above guidelines are a fairly accurate generalization.
Hopefully the above points can help you choose which type of powered model to go for... gas or electric.
