E-flite Mini Pulse XT - Brushless ESC Waveform

Much more than just a self-serving video of my new R/C airplane flight agility, this model represents a plethora of modern electronics. Although the radio control system in this plane is a standard narrow band FM variety on 72.170 MHz (as opposed to my 2.4 GHz, spread spectrum system), the motor is a state-of-the-art 3-phase brushless model (E-flite 450)with a sensorless electronic speed control (E-flite EFLA331, 20 A). Power for both the radio and the motor is supplied by a 3-cell (11.1 V) lithium polymer (Li-Po) battery rated at 2,100 mAh with a 15C discharge current capacity. There was a time not so long ago when no one though that electric power could ever provide a equivalent to the nitro methane gulping internal combustion engines, but the time has come. This all-electric setup is fairly small in size, but there are much larger motors and batteries available for large airplanes (and helicopters).

The video at the top right is a demonstration of the ease with which these all-electric models can be operated. Literally turn on the transmitter, plug in the battery, and you are ready to go. The extreme power-to-weight ration for this model is apparent in how quickly it takes off (not even full throttle) and pulls a high-G turn, goes around the short pattern, and then floats in for a perfect landing. Note the near absence of noise - which goes a long way toward keeping people from booting you out of flying locations once you find them.

Posted May 5, 2020