Glow or Electric RC Plane: How to Choose

When learning to fly radio control, one of the first things you must decide is whether to start out with a glow engine or electric RC plane. Each has its advocates and each its pluses and minuses. There are several factors to consider when making your choice, so let's begin with a brief explanation of the differences between them.

Glow planes go by several names--glow engines, glow plugs, nitros--all meaning the same thing: a plane powered by an internal combustion engine running on a blend of methanol, oil and nitromethane. Glow engines use a glow plug to ignite the fuel/air mixture, much like a spark plug does for a gasoline IC engine (but unlike the spark plug, the glow plug burns continuously once ignited). Until recently, glow engines were the RC airplane of choice, but advances in servos, receivers, batteries and engine design have made the electric RC plane increasingly popular not only with beginners but also more experienced fliers.

A glow-powered model is typically larger than a beginner electric RC plane, and looks and sounds more like the real deal. In fact, glow planes are downright noisy and, being unwelcome in populated areas, will pretty much limit your flying to a club field. Glow engines are also quite messy, while electric motors run cleanly and are so quiet they can be flown in parks and other public places (local ordinances permitting). Any IC engine requires maintenance and glow engines are no exception. This can be an off-putting or welcome feature, according to your personality and level of interest, but is definitely something to consider-it you don't like to keep things up, glow planes are probably not for you.