Power to weight ratio for rc planes. A 3D plane will need 150-200% thrust to plane weight.

Power to weight ratio for rc planes Furthermore, aircraft with a low drag profile and lower wing loading can often outclimb aircraft with smaller high speed wings at higher altitudes. A given amount of power as it relates to the gross weight of the aircraft. Reaction engines include, among others, jet engines, rocket engines, pump-jets, Hall-effect thrusters, and ion thrusters – all of which generate thrust by expelling mass (propellant) in the opposite direction of intended motion, in accordance with Newton's third law. Whether you're flying a trainer, a warbird, or an advanced 3D aircraft, the right power setup ensures maximum fun and performance in the air! Aug 29, 2024 · Generally, a higher thrust to weight ratio is better for RC planes, offering more power and performance. (270 to 300oz/c. 0 or higher means the thrust equals or beats the plane’s weight, improving takeoff, climb, and maneuverability. I don’t have VTOL experience (mainly working on multi copters and planes, not at the same time ) but if I were you, I find a motor that provides at least 5kg of thrust (ideally 7kg would be best). ) to achieve good performance. Here is a FT thread with more information. It is something of an art to operate a glow-powered model airplane engine. The time now is 01:17 AM. How much payload weight can an RC plane carry, and how can you work out your RC plane’s carrying capacity? Nov 21, 2003 · The power to weight ratio is just as it states. High power to weight ratios, refuel & go convenience, plus the sound & smell. A war bird or one with a little zip will be 100-150%. I understand that all planes are different and that because of that it is more difficult to pin point needed engine size. 4-1. Enter Power in Watts index. If the thrust to weight ratio is greater than 1, this means the aircraft will be able to accelerate vertically. 5: 1 means that the thrust is half the weight, with this in mind, for gliders or light and slow-flying model aircraft, a ratio of between 0. Jun 23, 2025 · Thrust to Weight Ratio F/W is the thrust to weight ratio, and it is directly proportional to the acceleration of the aircraft. c. It’s key for understanding how an RC (remote-controlled) plane performs. 。The front set and the back set of wings have similar dimensions. May 13, 2021 · F/W is the thrust to weight ratio and it is directly proportional to the acceleration of the aircraft. For instance, the thrust-to-weight ratio parameter will tell us about the maneuverability of an aircraft. Jul 25, 2006 · Giant Scale Aircraft - 3D & Aerobatic - power to weight ratio - Hello, I am just preparing my self to enter the world of 3D. I am looking at the great planes 27% Cap 232 12. g. Many scale (eg warbirds) subjects suit this power band. To explain more if it was 1:1 I would assume it would generally fly too fast and unrealistic without constantly backing the throttle off. ) might be good enough, whereas an aerobatics would need about 340g/c. Ensure a suitable power-to-weight ratio; trainer planes should aim for 120 W/kg while aerobatic models need over 200 W/kg for efficient flight. 5 Kg so had a thrust to weight ratio of 0. Newer technology lithium polymer batteries are beginning to remove this disadvantage, although currently at a price premium. 。It's a tandem wings with 50mm cord length and 60mm wingspan (end to end). For example, it is suggested that a plane have about 40 to 60 Watts of power per pound (88 to 132 W/kg) of aircraft for typical "sport" type flying. Oct 2, 2010 · Discussion power/weight ratio Fuel Plane TalkAircraft - Fuel - Airplanes Fuel Plane Talk Discussion power/weight ratio Mar 26, 2014 · instead of thrust to weight ratio, I use watt per pound. 5: 1 to 0. Whether you’re building a gentle trainer or a high-performance 3D machine Jul 12, 2002 · That all depends on the model. Power-to-weight ratio is equal to thrust per unit mass multiplied by the velocity of any vehicle. Which of your four aircraft above had the greatest thrust to engine weight ratio? RC EDF Calculator Wing Loading and Power Calculator - RC EDF Calculator Enter Wing Area, (sq in) Enter Model Weight in oz. Watts are a product of Volts x Amps (W=VxA). Dec 30, 2021 · Even commercial airplanes have at least a 0. https://forum. A ratio of 1. Loa Re: Power to weight ratio of RC planes by Tom Ligon » Mon Dec 29, 2014 1:28 am I have a Typhoon 3D 4-channel electric ARTF RC prop plane sitting above my computer. This is assuming 2 Because of this basic fact, a number of "rules of thumb" have been proposed based on a plane's power to weight ratio. Discussion Power to weight ratio Scale Sailplanes Aircraft - Sailplanes Scale Sailplanes Discussion Power to weight ratio Page 1 of 2 1 2 Next Thread Tools Dec 27, 2010 · RC Jets - Best thrust to weight ratio ducted fan jet? - Hi, what is the best ducted fan jet in terms of thrust to weight ratio, limited by a budget of around $100-200? The model should also be at least reasonably maneuverable, I'm not looking for a missile. If it is less the aircraft will Jan 3, 2025 · With a total weight under 10 ounces, the power-to-weight ratio makes this motor well suited for medium to large scale RC planes in the 10-15 pound range. el. Knowing this ratio Jun 12, 2006 · The Other Dave Electric Plane Talk 0 Mar 17, 2003 07:17 PM Gear drives effect on power/weight ratio Shakey Jake Electric Power Systems 6 Mar 17, 2002 10:25 AM Guidelines to help you choose your Plane's Power System: Last updated: May, 19 - 2024 1. Aug 14, 2024 · The thrust-to-weight ratio is the ratio of the thrust from an aircraft’s engines to its weight. I have seen were some people like to use a 1:1 ratio for power or thrust to weight. Use this airplane design calculator to help you determine key airframe dimensions along with an approximate target weight and power for your radio control aircraft. When designing a prop/motor combination for a prop plane do you base it off of thrust to weight, power to weight or a little bit of both? 2. php Calculated Values include: Wing Loading, Performance Style, Stall Speed, Hand Launch Recommendation, Wattage per pound, performance style according to power. Aircraft - General Electric Power Systems Question Power to weight ratio Thread Tools Sign up now to remove ads between posts Apr 19, 2014, 10:26 PM #3 AELLC (Zerts) AELLC (Zerts) Suspended Account Thread OP OK, thanks Jan 2, 2023 · Combatpigg offers good advice. Some unlimited aerobatic planes have power to weight ratios of up to 2-3 times the aircraft weight, While slow fliers and old time scale models may only have a small fraction of the aircraft weight for power. 8: 1 onwards. In the case of models the power must be translated into thrust. Total Drive: Drive Weight: weight of all components (with 10% margin, e. 80 to 120 W/lb - general sport flying and basic/intermediate aerobatics. Simply enter your aircraft’s weight, intended flying style, and battery preference to get instant recommendations for motor, ESC, and propeller combinations. 50 to 80 W/lb - powered gliders, basic park flyers and trainers, classic biplanes and vintage ('Old Timer') type planes. Load balancing is important. 。~450g of total weight. Nov 21, 2024 · I try to overcome this issue by using an EDF that is sized for the inlet and making the plane lighter to compensate for the lower thrust available. Below are some handy calculations and rules of thumb for determining various parameters, including both metric and imperial units. Nov 9, 2006 · How much thrust do you REALLY need? - RC Groups Aircraft - General Electric Power Systems Question How much thrust do you REALLY need? Page 1 of 2 1 2 Next Thread Tools The Radio Control RC Info Calculator can calculate anything from speed, Power type, to watts per pound for Radio Control RC Boats, Planes and Cars. A 1:1 power to weight ratio is a must for good aerobatic performance (i. Power @ max: electric input power at battery at full thrust. 8lb AUW (Fuelled) jet and i'm wondering the minimum Nov 17, 2023 · should be at least about 1/3 of the planes' weight. (200oz/c. Re: Power to weight ratio of RC planes GIThrusterFri Dec 26, 2014 2:37 pm I designed, built, flew and mostly crashed RC aircraft for years. Thrust Power Generation of thrust in flight requires the expenditure of power. Airframe weight stingray23U Engines 2 Mar 09, 2015 08:47 PM Discussion Is there a guide for engine size vs plane weight stan29640 Engines 12 Estimate and optimize RC airplane performance with eCalc's fast, reliable simulation tool for electric brushless motor drives. For most flight conditions, an aircraft with a high thrust to weight ratio will also have a high value of excess thrust. 54:1 when all the engines were running at full power. So how much thrust and minimum speed to maintain flight. It’s the total flying weight of the plane that you need, including motor and battery. . Decide your power requirement based on the weight of the plane and how you intend to fly it. So yeah, I strongly agree with doubling the power. can anyone help me? We would like to show you a description here but the site won’t allow us. 3 thrust-to-weight ratio. Less than 50W/lb - very lightweight / low wing loading slow flyer. Also, long range aircraft carry a lot of fuel, which obviously adds a massive amount of weight. the engine delivers as much thrust as the weight of the plane). Apr 15, 2022 · Hello, I am looking at engine options to plane weight for scale/semi scale aircraft, and interested to understand what a good Thrust/Weight ratio would be. 4 is almost impossible. in. Visit the specific RC – Radio Control Section on the above menu bar for more information or to learn how to get the most out of each calculator. •70 to 90 watts per pound is perfect for trainers and slow-flying aircraft. Is there a ratio that one wants to stay within on the thrust to weight ratio of a warbird? Dec 25, 2012 · Question Power to weight ratio rule of thumb Electric Power Systems Mar 11, 2010 · What is the normal thrust to weight ratio of a flying wing? Will I have enough power? stuntflier91 Flying Wings 18 Nov 02, 2015 10:27 PM Discussion Sep 11, 2025 · A Comprehensive Lexicon for Fixed-Wing Radio Control Airplanes The world of radio-controlled (RC) fixed-wing aircraft encompasses a rich vocabulary that spans aerodynamics, engineering, electronics, and operational procedures. Aug 1, 2024 · Factors such as materials used in construction, weight distribution, and power-to-weight ratio play a significant role in determining the weight and flight dynamics of an RC plane. 6 thrust to the weight ) a 3D type will often be a 1:1 ratio or slightly more. The included hardware kit provides all the screws necessary for secure mounting. flitetest. On one flight was had 2 engines stop before takeoff and had to proceed regardless as we were almost at takeoff. Nov 4, 2020 · The power/weight ratio can be expressed as follows: 0. If the thrust (power) is more than the weight of the airplane it will fly straight up. However, thrust alone is not enough to guarantee the plane to fly, since other factors, such as the prop's Pitch Speed must also to be taken into account. Jan 19, 2003 · RC Warbirds and Warplanes - Thrust to weight ratio - Okay, need a little bit of help here. May 8, 2023 · These engines and associated fuel tanks add significantly to the RC plane’s weight, affecting the aircraft’s thrust-to-weight ratio. An aircraft with a high thrust to weight ratio has high acceleration. 5-14lb plane. A scale model or slow flyer plane will be able to fly on a lower power-to-weight ratio. 4 lbs, and I have a motor that outputs 1kg, 2. Jan 12, 2011 · Don't forget that most full scale aircraft fly with power to weight ratios of 0. If you have 1 kg of thrust and you aircraft weighs 1 kg that is a one to one ratio. 5 3s, 9x4. 1 to 1 power is a good estimate. 2 to 0. Free online Electric Motor and Propeller performance calculator helps you estimate Efficiency, Output Power, Current draw, Propeller Thrust and RPM. Read on to Sep 23, 2019 · For practical usability you really should be running at around half or 3/4 power to generate hover thrust otherwise you would not have enough power budget to maintain altitude in case of disturbance. The plane's wingspan is 120 cm and the distance from nose to tail is 109 cm. Is this a typical goal for non 3D planes? 3. Feb 6, 2020 · We often see a scaled up speed comparison on RC cars ‘Full size equivalent speed of 327km/h” or such like, but has anybody worked out a scale comparison of power to weight ratio of our 1/10 scale friends? Super bikes sometimes quote, 1 HP per Kg. Aircraft - General Electric Power Systems Question input power to weight ratio Page 1 of 2 1 2 Next Thread Tools Jun 20, 2005 · Aerodynamics - Engine/thrust to weight ratio chart - I was wondering if anyone is aware of a chart that gives basic thrust to weight ratio needed to get the unlimited vertical seen in today's models. 8: 1 and on fast models from 0. Aug 3, 2009 · Aircraft - Misc. Feb 22, 2024 · A 3D model will need greater than 1:1 power-to-weight ratio, meaning the motor’s thrust must be higher than the model’s weight in order to get sufficient vertical performance. 5 4s ESC: 30-40 amp Battery: 1300 mAh 3s or 4s with 9x4. It used to be able to take off straight up, with a thrust/weight ratio greater than 1, before I landed it on its nose one too many times. - A full scale Cessna 172R has about 160hp (119312W) and a gross weight of 2450lbs, for a power to weight of ~49W/lb. Motor KV Each motor is rated in kilovolts or KV for short. It has about 700g of thrust and can do loops no problem. Speaking of internal combustion engines for RC planes, have you ever wondered how long an RC nitro engine lasts and what you can do to maintain it? Sep 4, 2019 · Aircraft - General Electric Power Systems Discussion Optimal Power to Weight Ratio Page 1 of 4 1 2 3 Next Last Thread Tools Giant Scale Planes Gas Engines Discussion Prop/eng thrust Requirement Page 1 of 2 1 2 Mar 29, 2022 · I crunched a few numbers to start a comparison. Jul 8, 2012 · So a T/O thrust to weight chart won't necessarily reflect real world high altitude performance. Oct 11, 2010 · RC Jets - Thrust to Weight Ratios - What's an acceptable Thrust to Weight ratio for you guys? The accuracy of the scale (analog luggage scale) that i am using for the thrust test isnt a cetainty/calibrated it may be off 1-2 lbs (manufacturers warning ) I have a 24. The heavier the plane or higher the wing loading, the more power it needs to fly properly. A 3D plane will need 150-200% thrust to plane weight. e. All data for the given aircraft are from Wikipedia based on rated power and maximum weights, so they don't necessarily reflect actual use cases of a given aircraft. 4 days ago · Take the time to understand the weight and weight requirements of your RC planes to determine the best power-to-weight ratio and where to add or remove weight to provide the perfect balance and optimum flight capabilities of the plane. 4: 1 on trainer models from 0. Aug 8, 2013 · 1. So it will fly with significantly more power than a full scale would, and require very little, if any, energy management. Proper distribution of weight plays a large and important role in an aircraft's overall performance. A motor's capability to move a plane around is measured in watts. A Jan 7, 2021 · A typical plane, 80-100%. 3: 1 to 0. As a rule of thumb, the input power for a trainer plane (no EDF) should be about 120 W/kg (55 W/lb). For reference, 1 horsepower equals 745 watts. Apr 21, 2020 · hi; I am building a 10kg electric VTOL UAV; I know the ideal t/w for VTOL motors is 2:1 or 3:1 but I don’t know the ideal ratio for propulsion motor. Question Power to weight ratio scale in metric Electric Plane Talk RE: power weight -ratio? The power to weight ratio is just as it states. The inverse of power-to-weight, weight-to-power ratio (power loading) is a calculation commonly applied to aircraft, cars, and vehicles in general, to enable the comparison of one vehicle's performance to another. :-) Feb 19, 2020 · Here are some guidelines that may help. 5 prop I fly a Simple Cub with a 2200mAh battery, it does just fine, so there's lots of leeway on the battery size. The thrust-to-weight ratio is crucial data when it comes to designing an aircraft, be it a smaller remote-controlled (RC) drone or a full-fledged passenger jet. 1 kilos, 2. Many modelers now fly both types of power systems. 9kg to 9kg. May 22, 2023 · Remote-controlled planes have been popular among hobbyists for a long time, but recently there has been an interest in the carrying capacity of RC planes for both commercial and hobbyist applications. If successful the thrust to weight ratio san remain the same. Jun 11, 2019 · The plane weighed 35. Building an RC airplane involves several key calculations to ensure optimal performance. This comprehensive glossary serves as your definitive reference guide to understanding the technical language that defines our hobby. Whether you’re a newcomer trying Oct 15, 2006 · Thrust to weight ratios for 3D planes? - RC Groups Aircraft - General Electric Power Systems Discussion Thrust to weight ratios for 3D planes? Thread Tools Oct 15, 2006, 02:11 PM #1 patrick181 patrick181 Registered User Thread OP Discussion Typical power to weight ratios for RC models. Oct 26, 2025 · Innovations in motor design and materials have allowed for greater efficiency and power-to-weight ratios, enabling electric RC planes to perform aerobatics and long-duration flights previously thought to be exclusive to gas-powered models. The performance of an engine powered model aircraft may also be estimated by calculating the weight / power ratio, also known as power loading. com AIRCRAFT POWER TO WEIGHT RATIO common question for any model airplane designer is: "What size motor do I need?" The answer depends upon how you want it to perform! Of course, weight plays a big part in this decision too. Jan 23, 2025 · BigbeardedBob Fuel Plane Talk 24 Oct 12, 2023 01:10 PM Discussion Airplane weight vs rated pull of power set up marvin martian Electric Power Systems 3 Jun 27, 2022 11:26 PM Question Engine Size/Prop vs. 11-15 watts/100g Minimum level of power for decent performance 15-20 watts/100g Trainer Dec 12, 2017 · Aircraft - Electric - Jets Electric Ducted Fan Jet Talk Question EDF Weight/Power system Question Page 1 of 2 1 2 Next Thread Tools The RC airplane design calculator has been created in order to provide an approximation of specific airframe parameters. The nitro RC helicopter is still a popular contender with electric. 。KFm2 airfoil with 5deg angle of incidence. Four-stroke engines fire every other revolution which produces a very low pitched growl that sounds a lot like a full-scale airplane! Dec 28, 2024 · 4. Modeling Science Discussion general rule for conversion from T/W to power/weight ratios Thread Tools Jul 5, 2019 · Most sport and scale type planes will have a little over a 50% power ratio ( about 0. As a general rule, its much easier to build a high power to weight model with wet fuel as the engines themselves have much higher power to weight ratios Hi, i'm having difficulty choosing the right motor and propeller set for my rc plane. 2lbs of thrust. Thrust to weight Having started to build rc planes this year using a friends laser cutter ive been treating the thrust the motor makes as the max weight for my planes, usually being 1kg. com/index. Speed and Power A high thrust-to-weight ratio also ensures that your plane can achieve higher speeds, as the engine produces more power than the aircraft’s weight demands. A high thrust to weight ratio means that the aircraft will have high acceleration and thrust and a high rate of climb. Whether you're designing an RC drone or a full-fledged aircraft, you can determine whether the thrust-to-weight ratio of your design is to your liking using this calculator. Will it work? Or will I constantly have to be at full throttle? This is my first plane. A static thrust to weight ratio greater than 0. So The drawbacks are generally lower power to weight ratio than a comparable glow-power engine. for propeller weight compensation) Power-Weight: Power Weight Ratio Thrust-Weight: Thrust Weight Ratio - flying below 0. For a propeller or a jet-engine fan, the shaft power and the thrust are related by the definition of propeller efficiency. 5102/ Or If you're me I prefer 300% for every plane lol Two-stroke RC engines have a higher power to weight ratio than four-stroke engines. If you look online, you'll find several different kinds of thrust balances you can use to get real thrust figures for these aircraft, with the craft attached to the motor, prop, fan, etc. The weight the plane can carry will depend on the aircraft’s wingspan and surface area, thrust-to-weight ratio, construction materials, internal space, and prevailing weather conditions. Airframe strength is another critical factor for rc aerobatic airplanes. High excess thrust results in a high rate of climb. May 22, 2023 · An RC plane can generally carry a weight of between 2 lbs to 20 lbs or 0. Thrust-to-weight ratio is a dimensionless ratio of thrust to weight of a reaction engine or a vehicle with such an engine. Current @ max: total current draw of all motors. Thrust to weight ratio? I’m making a pusher prop glider with a 2000mm wing span. See full list on goodiesrc. Simply, what kind of motor and Simplest bet is to follow the recommended motor/prop/esc/battery combo for that plane: Motor: 2212 (stator size) at ~1050kv Prop: 10x4. This is particularly beneficial for high-speed passes and when you need to push the plane to its limits during certain maneuvers. It weighs 1. Most beginners start with two-stroke engines because they are cheaper, easier to maintain, and easier to tune. I'm trying to find lift and cruise velocity and I'm trying to figure how much my plane should weigh on an average. Broke something in the motor speed controller. I’m a bit rubbish at math so if anybody has the kn Re: Power to weight ratio of RC planes GIThrusterFri Dec 26, 2014 2:37 pm I designed, built, flew and mostly crashed RC aircraft for years. For RC planes you wouldn't even attempt to hover unless your plane has 2:1 thrust-to-weight All times are GMT -8. Aug 29, 2025 · Select the right motor size and weight based on power needs; about 200 grams is ideal for 1000 watts output for stability. Nov 16, 2022 · Our thrust-to-weight ratio calculator is here to help you estimate one of the essential parameters for aircraft design 🛩️- the trust-to-weight ratio. This thrust-to-weight ratio calculator assists engineers in estimating the thrust-to-weight ratio of a vehicle. Gliders and parkflyers By understanding power-to-weight ratios, battery selection, ESC ratings, and propeller matching, you can optimize your RC airplane for sport flying, aerobatics, or extreme 3D maneuvers. Jan 9, 2025 · Need help choosing the perfect motor setup for your RC airplane? Our RC Airplane Electric Motor Calculator takes the guesswork out of power system selection. Learn about the Watts per pound rule of thumb for determining adequate power output for your electric powered RC airplane, to get the performance you desire. You will need the equivalent of 3D power for stunt, so if electric powered you are looking at 150 watts per pound. php?threads/thrust-vs-power-to-weight-ratios-for-prop-planes. •50 to 70 watts per pound is the minimum level of power, good for park flyers and lightly loaded slow flyers. 5:1 is needed in order to the plane be able to takeoff from the ground. A slow and low wing loading (for a beginner), with a weight / power ratio of 440 to 500g/c. It's great fun. 120 to 180W/lb Answer: Decide your power requirement based on the weight of the plane and how you intend to fly it. Modern powerful EDFs can help although their g/W efficiency tends to negate any airframe weight saving. beedet gaxwh lsoriu nxjqti qcojog ogoinzm jwpwv bahd uuen iezct cjza kvnmoj lpdyd srhaht mfledo