Nitro and Gas Powered RC Airplanes

Nitro and gas RC airplanes are a very large part of the RC airplane hobby world. They give the pilot more control, are the most realistic and exciting RC planes to fly and definitely the most powerful.

It's the power they possess that make?s them more geared toward the RC airplane expert rather then the beginner.

There are however many RC nitro and gas airplanes which are suitable for beginners, they are called ‘trainers’.

However since they can run you several hundred dollars, you should know some very important fact about RC nitro and gas airplanes before you shell out your money.

Although there are RC airplanes that run on gas, the RC airplane that you will get will most likely run on nitro fuel.

Nitro fuel is made up of three components, methanol and nitromethane (which are slow burning gases) and some kind of oil lubricant.

• Methanol – it’s the methanol that provides the main energy source for RC gas engines
• Nitromethane – it’s the nitromethane that delivers oxygen to the engine, enhancing combustion and delivering more power
• Oil (that may have additives such as anti-corrosion agents or degumming agents) – it’s the oil lubricates that helps to keep the RC gas engines cool

The main advantage of a nitro or gas RC plane is the performance. The airplane engine can deliver full power for the duration of the flight, opposed to an electric RC airplane engine that gradually gets weaker as the flight progresses due to the weaken of the batteries.

Because gas and nitro RC airplanes are more complicated RC airplanes, they can take a longer time to get into the air then an electric RC airplane. They are also much faster in flight than their electric conterparts. It’s the speed, control the pilot has during flight and the complexity of RC gas and nitro airplanes that makes them more sought after by the experienced RC model airplane pilot. They are also more engaging requiring the pilots to do a lot more, making the flying experience much more realistic and a lot more rewarding for many RC gas and nitro airplane lovers.

Nitro and gas powered RC model planes are harder to maintain and cost more then an electric RC airplane.

• Since one has to be careful with the fuel used in the engines, the engines must be secured well, to avoid spills and other possible damage.
• Gas and nitro RC airplanes require adjustment to the engine each time they are started.
• The propeller spins at a very high rate of speed and can cause a serious injury to any part of the body it should happen to come in contact with.
• Unlike a trainer airplane, a regular nitro or gas RC airplane can be difficult to repair in case you happen to have an accident. Which you more then likely will.

A few very impotant considerations before purchasing a nitro or gas RC airplane:

• Fuel is not included and must be purchased separate
• Fuel can not be shipped by air and can take 3-10 days to arrive via ground
• Nitro and gas RC airplanes fly at high speeds and require larger areas to fly
• Nitro and gas RC airplane engines require adjustment after each start
• A start kit is also required to start the engine properly
• Nitro and gas powered RC airplanes require a smooth surface runway to take off and land
• Prior flight experience is not only recommended but should be required
• A computer training flight simulator is included with almost all nitro and gas RC airplanes
• Always pay close attention to the 'not included' section of any RC toy you are interested in purchasing so can make any additional purchases you may need.

If this is your first RC airplane or if this is for a young pilot, it is highly recommended that you start with an electric RC 'trainer' airplane.

If this is not your first RC airplane and you wish to move into nitro or gas RC airplanes then you should start out with a gas trainer RC airplane or a nitro RC trainer airplane.

Go to the Beginner RC Airplanes for more in depth information on beginner RC airplanes and the Trainer Airplane section for more information on RC trainer airplanes.