As far as flight parameters go both fuel and electric are pretty close=20 in today's environment. E planes are handicapped in competition because the rules require they=20 be weighed with batteries in place. IC's are not weighed with fuel. The E's are more reliable and provide greater usable power with less=20 vibration. Power control is immediate. The absence of vibration allows a much lighter airframe than with an=20 IC. Fuel proof paint is not required. In fact, paint is not required. If you go to Horizon Hobbies web site you will find a wide range of=20 products that work. Electric flights usually are less that 8 minutes=20 regardless of size. I do have a 10 pound pattern plane but the batteries are expensive and I=20 rarely fly it. I prefer the 3 cell Lipo's. The public perception is that=20 electrics are safer. I disagree, A careless flyer will at some point=20 allow an unplanned motor start. Danger to people and property. An IC=20 usually stops with a prop strike. A electric chews on what ever it=20 encounters until power is removed. I have had a speed controller catch=20 fire. I did manage to not burn the airplane up! The Lipo's we use are bare cells. charge & discharge are up to the user.=20 Too fast of either makes for a road flare. Best done outside! Foamies are neat! Small fields are fine. Break it into pieces, glue it=20 back together and fly some more. No more nasty oil to deal with though! On 5/5/2012 5:26 AM, Tamas Rudnai wrote: > John, > > Thank you very much for all of these info. This site is very useful and I > am surprised how many RC clubs are in San Diego area. It seems this sport > is very popular in the US :-) > > Could you please explain why electric fly better than the IC one? Back in > Ireland I had a smaller electric plane (still have the motor, speed > controller, battery and charger, so I guess such transition would not be = a > too big investment). However, I thought it was not as powerful as an IC > would be, or maybe I just had a too small motor? > > Thanks, > Tamas > > > On 4 May 2012 13:51, John Ferrell wrote: > >> Go to http://www.modelaircraft.org/ >> If they cannot help you with all of the details please let me know and I >> will find someone with experience in that area. >> I had a successful business producing Precision Aerobatic Model >> Airplanes that were winners in International& Domestic Contests. >> I gave that up in 1999 but many of my friends are still active in the >> sport. >> >> Many of the answers to your questions are dependent on your anticipated >> length of stay and who is paying for the move. >> If I were you, I would consider giving up fuel and transitioning to >> electric for many reasons. >> You can buy a lot of airplane stuff for the cost of shipping. >> >> On 5/3/2012 8:41 PM, Tamas Rudnai wrote: >>> Thanks guys for your help. Now I have sorted it out by donating the fue= l >>> and the cans of other materials to the local RC club I was flying with. >>> >>> Next thing to find out if my BMFA membership covers me insurance wise i= n >>> the US or need to join to AMA. >>> >>> Tamas >>> >>> >>> On 3 May 2012 22:38, David Harmon wrote: >>> >>>> On Mon, 30 Apr 2012 22:52:09 +0100, Luis Moreira >>>> wrote: >>>>> Come on mate be reasonable, even in the UK the transport companies >> don't >>>>> like to carry that stuff, why would you want to create problems on yo= ur >>>>> move because of that? Just leave it behind, I am sure you will find r= /c >>>>> fuel in California. >>>> R/C fuel is available both in bottles and bulk. But you may want to >>>> bring the cans. Jerrycans are regulated, must have a DOT (Department = of >>>> Transportation) approved anti-spill valve on the filler in order to be >>>> sold. >>>> -- >>>> http://www.piclist.com PIC/SX FAQ& list archive >>>> View/change your membership options at >>>> http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/piclist >>>> >>> >> -- >> John Ferrell W8CCW >> =93During times of universal deceit, >> Telling the TRUTH becomes a revolutionary act=94 >> George Orwell >> >> >> -- >> http://www.piclist.com PIC/SX FAQ& list archive >> View/change your membership options at >> http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/piclist >> > > --=20 John Ferrell W8CCW =93During times of universal deceit, Telling the TRUTH becomes a revolutionary act=94 George Orwell --=20 http://www.piclist.com PIC/SX FAQ & list archive View/change your membership options at http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/piclist .