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RC Propellers Explained

Propellers are implemented in a variety of vessels, from airplanes and helicopters to boats and submarines. RC crafts are miniature, remote controllable versions of these vehicles. Although RC crafts are much less complex than their passenger-carrying counterparts, they still use propellers to produce movement.
  1. Propulsion

    • The propeller is the part of an RC vessel that pushes air (or water) behind it by spinning quickly, causing the craft to move forward. The propeller gets the energy to do this from the engine to which it is connected. Engines come in two basic forms: electric or internal-combustion, which is also known as a glow engine in the RC world. Because they are less expensive and easier to maintain, beginners are advised to choose an electric RC craft. They are also much less noisy than glow engines, so you can use them in a wider variety of areas, rather than just private fields and RC air fields.

    Vessels

    • There are many different radio controlled crafts. Some of them fly through the air, and others operate in water. There are even hybrids of both, called RC hydrofoams, which can be driven in the water and flown through the air without needing any alterations. All RC craft use propellers, with the two exceptions of radio controlled sail boats, which capture the power of the wind blowing to move, and RC gliders, which are typically launched and glide off that initial thrust.

      Radio controlled vessels that do use propellers for movement include boats, hydrofoams, single- and dual-propeller airplanes, jets, blimps and helicopters.

    Sizes

    • RC propellers have two measurements, both designated in inches. The first measurement is diameter, or length of the prop from tip to tip. The second number is pitch, which indicates how far the craft will move through the air as a result of one full propeller spin. Although pitch is a theoretical number and affected by other factors, such as material of the prop and air density, it is a good guideline for deciding the right propeller for you. Generally, the higher the pitch, the faster the craft will move.

    Types

    • Most simple RC airplanes use a single two-blade propeller attached to the nose of the craft. Most RC boats use one propeller as well, but a special type that is suitable for use underwater. RC blimps typically use two small propellers, one on each side of the bottom portion of the blimp (gondola). These propellers can vary speed and direction to precisely control movement, or even hover. Hydrofoams also use two propellers, but they have three blades instead of two, and have a ring connecting the blades going around the circumference of the tips. The fastest and most expensive form of RC craft is jets. They use a multi-bladed propeller, called an impeller, that spins at very high revolutions per minute (RPM) and generate significant thrust.


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