Hobbies And Interests
Electric
Electric motors are adequate for most beginning- to intermediate-level airplane models. They require an onboard battery pack that has to be recharged after each flight. An electric motor can be started remotely and does not require a separate starter. This is considerably safer for fliers, whose fingers don't have to get near a spinning propeller during start-up.
Glow
A glow engine uses what is called a glow plug to ignite fuel inside the combustion chamber. Glow engines come in two-stroke or more powerful four-stroke varieties. A glow engine requires a battery-operated glow starter to heat the plug, in addition to a propeller starter or hand starting.
Comparison
Both types of engines have their supporters. A glow engine provides a lot of power in a small package, plus a realistic engine sound that some modelers like. An electric motor is usually less powerful, but it is quiet and can be started with the push of a button. Glow engines can be messy, because they use oily fuel that can soak into the wood of your model plane, and they require constant refueling. They also often have a cylinder or carburetor that sticks out of the airplane's fuselage to the possible detriment of the model's aerodynamics and appearance. Fans of electric motors enjoy the devices' low maintenance, as opposed to the difficulty of tuning a glow engine. Either type of engine is usually suitable for aerobatics.
Costs
The glow engine requires a specialized fuel, which can get expensive. Electric motors just need a recharge from any standard power source. The flight time of a glow-powered plane depends on the size of the fuel tank, whereas an electric plane can stay aloft for nearly an hour with the use of lithium-polymer batteries. These types of batteries, however, are still pricier than other power cells that may not last as long.