Fw: Electrics and how viable.?.. Del klipped 4 reposting

[Del Rykert]

Georgie, Jim and any others I may have missed....

    My issue is if it is such a viable system for the average modeler then 
how come the great questions that were asked on the list weren't addressed?
     Another..  I remember very well how many claimed you could still fly 60 
size planes competitively after the 2m box was created and 120 size 4 cycles 
were allowed.  Both of these changes changed the dynamics of the playing 
field.  Electrics with technology has the capability for the same effect.. 
At the extreme maneuvers could be created that only electrics could perform. 
I am not claiming that will occur.  Just pointing out what the electric 
potential is.
    As for drawing new blood to the sport I don't visit flying fields all 
over the country to know if they are many AMA fliers that are flying large 
size electrics that they could enter and be realistically competitive in 
even the lower classes.  If the even was moved indoors then that again 
changes the playing field but would allow all kind of small electric to 
compete. I am not advocating such a move.
    With the ugly side of sponsorship it does give some a distinct advantage 
with the technology that is not available to the masses at a reasonable 
price.
    Yes all you points about the advantages of electrics are real George. 
But I for one would not choose to keep both glow and electric in my hanger. 
The logistics of such an undertaking is to much for me personally.
    For some to claim that electric isn't going to change pattern is 
foolish.. Just look at the maneuvers that are created for new schedules that 
dictate you must get a comparable competitive aircraft if you are going to 
fly in that class.  How many are allowed to move back because of inadequate 
equipment?
    I will get off my soapbox for now. I am only asking for the rest of the 
answers to real questions that to me appear to either being ignored by those 
in the know or it paints a big black eye for electrics and they don't want 
to show the ugly side of it.

                         del
               NSRCA - 473
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: George Kennie
  To: discussion at nsrca.org
  Sent: Monday, November 22, 2004 2:23 PM
  Subject: Re: Diamond stab cross section - Dean Pappas


  I don't fly 
electric!....................................................YET!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  However, and it's a very big HOWEVER,  I keep hearing about how 
unbelievably expensive it is to participate in this aspect of the hobby. I 
don't know that I can concur with this conclusion.
  I think most of us lower eschelon participants are probably paying 
approximately $15 per gallon for fuel and the guys that are burning 30% heli 
somewhat higher. Now, using the lower figure and running a 16 oz tank I'm 
getting about 8 flights out of every gallon I purchase(how many of you guys 
are running 20 ouncers?) To me that approximates roughly $2 per flight. All 
of the sources that I have been able to query indicate that the current crop 
of lithium technology paks should cycle in the 1000 cycle area if properly 
charged and discharged(no over-charging & no deep discharging) which is 
easily achievable with currently available programable ESC's.
  Now even if you figure on a pak like Jay is running where each half pak 
costs $350(total $700), the 1000 cycle cost comes out to .70 cents per 
flight. If you take it one step further and consider a smaller size 
airplane, the cost per flight goes down substantially as some of the local 
guys, in my area, are getting 3 ten minute flights per charge.
  I don't know about you, but in my book, the numbers are pretty compelling, 
rivaling the price that I used to pay for my 60 size ignition powered Super 
Cyclone on Amoco gas.
  Additionally, I have yet to see an electric motor advertized for $700 like 
some of our glow motors.I think if I was Mr.Yamada I would have a little bit 
of an uneasy feeling in the pit of my stomach regarding the future. I think 
the writing on the wall is either pulsating or glowing 'cause it has 
electrons behind it!
  Just think,.......... no glow plugs, no glow fuel, no exhaust manifolds, 
no pipes, no starter, no starter motor batteries, no fuel pumps, no tanks, 
no fuel tubing, no fuel dots, no fuel line T's, no fuel line filters, no 
Cline regulators, no check valves, no Mixture Carb servos, no soft mounts, 
no 7amp field box battery, no 409 clean-up solution, no paper towels, no 
igniter battery, no remote glow receptacle and the list goes on and on. How 
much money did you just save????? You may be able to retire earlier than you 
anticipated!
  Nope!, I'm still not convinced that electric is sooooo- expensive. I will 
acknowledge that if you are an individual that burns 2 or 3 gallons a 
season, it's going to be a while before you start to realize the 
differential.
  Georgie

 


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