How to Buy an Engine for Model Aircraft

Concentrate on buying a basic engine if you're a beginning radio-control modeler.

Base your choice of engine on the requirements of your specific model airplane.

Know your scale-model airplane's dimensions, weight and prospective performance.

Realize that electric motors are generally used in the smallest of flying models, whereas full-size gasoline motors can generate sufficient power to propel larger, high-performance scale aircraft.

Be aware that most beginning modelers choose glow-plug engines in which a methanol-mixture fuel is fired by a preheated platinum coil. Glow-plug engines are simpler, lighter and require less maintenance.

Understand that glow-plug engines come in either 2- or 4-cycle. A 2-cycle engine is less complicated and has fewer moving parts. A 4-cycle engine is heavier and requires more maintenance.

Be aware that most modelers look at electric aircraft engines as useful only under certain circumstances.

Remember that using an electric engine means you also must account for the weight of the batteries that provide the energy.

Check out a miniature gasoline engine - similar to a motor that might power your weed eater or hedge trimmer - as your piloting skills increase sufficiently to allow you to engage in high-speed and aerobatic maneuvers.