Electric IMAC Plane poll?

[sun.flyer]

I to flew an electric GS airplane last year for IMAC competitions (a 30% Extra 300). I think for the lower classes (Basic/Sportsmen) you can get away with a fairly affordable electric setup when compared to an IC comp. plane that is of similiar size that is being flown in these classes.

However, I think that when you start to get into the upper classes and start flying larger airplanes (35%-42%) that is when the price differences between electric and IC really start to become noticable. Also I think that many pilots who fly IMAC would tell you that they would never fly an electric competition airplane because of the need to hear the rumbling noise of an IC motor. I think to many in IMAC if it doesn't take 87-92 octane to start the motor than it isn't an airplane (atleast not one for flying IMAC).

The cost of flying GS electric airplanes is definately coming down......and will continue to do so with the increase in technology and new manufactures coming on board. I think the real challenge in seeing more electrics flying in IMAC events is the acceptance by the competitors themselves in the fact that these airplane can be just as competitive as an IC airplane.......but doing it making less noise.

Tim

[Royster]

There is a stigma attached to electric flight, mostly from the old boys at clubs or people who dont have a clue about it so they bag it.

[Royster]

BTW nice "electric" Extra Tim

[sideways]

That's just another good reason to fly with ear-muffs on

[sun.flyer]

	Quote: Originally Posted by Royster
	There is a stigma attached to electric flight, mostly from the old boys at clubs or people who dont have a clue about it so they bag it.

I agree. Many of my local club members would not even consider flying an electric airplane because they have no idea what a watt or amp is and how that relates to the perfomance of an electric airplane.

Thanks for the compliment on the Extra.

Tim

[sun.flyer]

	Quote: Originally Posted by sideways
	That's just another good reason to fly with ear-muffs on

Or like many here state side.......listen to your MP3 player or IPOD.

Tim

[RustyTumbles]

I've started playing with electrics. I currently have the running gear for a mojo 25 and once I build that frame my mojo 40 will be electrafied as well. Once you start playing with these thing you will realise how powerful they really are (even at the 25 size level). I've been thinking of building another 35% for a back up, maybe I'll go electric in that too.

Electrics have that stigma because it is mostly old CJ (circle jerk) pilots that fly them, and they have the attitude that they know all and they fly the best, yet they only fly circuits and 3d/aerobatics is dangerous to everyone. I think things will change once the setup price comes down and the majority fly and understand electric powered planes.

[sherman89]

I do electric helis as well as IMAC gas, I do believe electric assuming proper equipment is more dependable than gas. Electric in a heli application is much more dependable than glow, I have done both and glow is not in my lineup anymore. Cost is the big factor in GS but as we move into the future electric will become more viable. As noise becomes more of a problem electric will help out although the gas motors with quiet exhaust systems (cans and proper pipes) are making the noise levels acceptable.

[icicles]

I have flown electric pattern models for a number of years now. I have more power than a YS 170 running on 30% nitro (that upsets the glow guys, yes i have flown a YS))


Is it cheap, **** yes Guys with the YS run premix 30% heli fuel @ about $85 bottle

Get about six flights to the bottle, $ 14 a flight (then start looking at radio and airframe wear and tear, glow plugs, engine rebuilds etc)

I've been running Zippy H's for a very long time now and they cost me just over $200 landed when the dollar was good. And i have many many flights on them ( do have a an exact log, just can't remember off the top of my head).

Electric has a lot of benefits, basically zero wear and tear on your radio and airframe, no vibration( i consume 29mah of receiver battery for a typical schedule) More power, beautifully smooth throttle response, instant power.

I do believe it will become cheaper. Initially it is quite expensive to setup.

The real big bonus is the noise issue. A lot of fields have faced noise issues in the recent years. As more and more people move closer to flying fields, these fields will have to impose stricter noise control measures.

Chris

[gdryer]

I am flying IMAC this year with my e-powered Hangar-9 Sukhoi 33%. Cost for my setup was less than a DA-85 gas setup.

http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=933906

The total cost of the power system for this project in US$ (one set of batteries):

HXT 80-100-B130 motor $150
Additional bearings $30
Castle 110 HV ESC $230
One set Zippy 6S-4000 batteries $75x4=$300

Total for this power system $710.00

[Dr. Yankem]

I met a guy at the field last week that was maidening a 35% Extra 260 on electric. He was using a 12S 5000mah pack and the vertical was impressive. The problem for use in Imac, I think, is length of run for the sequence. Typically the 2 sequences use on average 10 minutes from takeoff to landing. With his 5000mah pack he felt a fall off in vertical by the 7th minute and he landed at 8 minutes. Granted this was the initial flight and maybe some tweaking would give him a longer run without vertical fall off, but unless he added another 5000mah in parallel he would not be able to get the full 10 minutes at full power needed to compete. (4) 6s2P packs is a bunch of moola, and that's only good for one flight.
Prices of batteries have to come down a lot to make flying in Imac viable

[sun.flyer]

	Quote: Originally Posted by Dr. Yankem
	I met a guy at the field last week that was maidening a 35% Extra 260 on electric. He was using a 12S 5000mah pack and the vertical was impressive. The problem for use in Imac, I think, is length of run for the sequence. Typically the 2 sequences use on average 10 minutes from takeoff to landing. With his 5000mah pack he felt a fall off in vertical by the 7th minute and he landed at 8 minutes. Granted this was the initial flight and maybe some tweaking would give him a longer run without vertical fall off, but unless he added another 5000mah in parallel he would not be able to get the full 10 minutes at full power needed to compete. (4) 6s2P packs is a bunch of moola, and that's only good for one flight. Prices of batteries have to come down a lot to make flying in Imac viable

Actually IMAC rules allow the pilot to land in between sequences to "refuel" if needed. This could definately be a solution to flying his 12s 5000mah packs provided he had another set of packs available.

Tim

[wmat7039]

	Quote: Originally Posted by sun.flyer
	Actually IMAC rules allow the pilot to land in between sequences to "refuel" if needed. This could definately be a solution to flying his 12s 5000mah packs provided he had another set of packs available. Tim

Hi there Tim... You may need to re-read the Rules... I am quoting rule # 10.1.4 in the General Rules section:
10.1.4. An official flight (round) is two (2) sequences and the contestant
is expected to be able to fly both sequences without refueling
between sequences. If the second sequence cannot be completed the
contestants will receive zero (0) for each unscored maneuver in that
sequence. The only exception is if Rule 10.1.2 is in effect.

I hope that helps to clear up any misconceptions.
Wayne

[sun.flyer]

	Quote: Originally Posted by wmat7039
	Hi there Tim... You may need to re-read the Rules... I am quoting rule # 10.1.4 in the General Rules section: 10.1.4. An official flight (round) is two (2) sequences and the contestant is expected to be able to fly both sequences without refueling between sequences. If the second sequence cannot be completed the contestants will receive zero (0) for each unscored maneuver in that sequence. The only exception is if Rule 10.1.2 is in effect. I hope that helps to clear up any misconceptions. Wayne

Thanks Wayne!!



Tim

[3dubya]

	Quote: Originally Posted by RustyTumbles
	I agree with mick, but it would also take some money out of the hands of those greedy oil companies. If I could have an electric car with the same or better performance than my petrol car then I would have one. The technology is there but oil companies rule the world and squash any hope of it being affordable any time soon. I'll get down of my soap box now.

ur electric car would short circut in the flood waters up there