From the Cockpit

摘要

As our hobby of building and flying electric-powered airplanes continues to mature, we enjoy the latest that technology has to offer. But, we have to remember that every year a new batch of first-time modelers discovers our great pastime, and we should try to help pass on our knowledge to benefit the new generation. I first flew an electric-powered airplane back in the mid 1980s when I installed an Astro Flight 05 motor, an on/off switch, and several AA Ni-Cd cells I soldered together in an Electricus 2-meter glider designed by Larry Jolly. For its time, this model was great and you didn't need to winch-launch it to get it airborne. Because of the weight of the motor and batteries, the wing loading was a bit on the high side, but I had a lot of fun joining the "silent revolution"! Today, getting into electric power is much easier, and the selection of excellent-flying planes is just about limitless. We now truly live in the Golden Age of electrics.