Electro-Lite (oz16616)

About this Plan

Electro-Lite. Free flight duration model for electric power with Hytork 48 motor. Wingspan 36 in, wing area 150 sq in.

Direct submission to Outerzone.

Update 14/3/2026: Added article, thanks to theshadow.

Quote: "Using the new Hytork 48 electric motor, this free flight has an average duration of three to four minutes - and is convertible to .02 gas power. Electro-Lite, by Hal Cover.

The Electro-Lite was developed as a test bed for a new and very efficient motor. The author had the privilege of working with Hand Fasola, designer of the Hytork 48 motor, during its initial testings. The motor used on the Electra-Lite is the VL Products 'VL-101 Flight System'. It is composed of a Hy-tork 4g motor, a charge plug/switch and a battery pack. The system weighs 2-1/4 ounces and generates approximately 4 ounces static thrust. The VL-101 system is now in production and available. For information contact: VL Products, 7023-D Canoga Ave, Canoga Park, Ca 91303.

This particular plane was built to evaluate the motor/battery combination for endurance-type flying. The plane, which weighs four ounces and has an area of 150 sq in, performed so well that only about three of the flights ever landed without the dethermalizer bringing it down (3- to 4-minute average). During testing the plane was flown with both a right/right and left/ left pattern with equal success. It is advisable, though, to fly electric powered planes in a spiral climb only because a straight or prop hanging climb does not result in an efficient climb. So generally fly the plane up 'on its wings.'

An operation which develops into a critical area is the accurate and carefully monitored charging of the battery pack. There has been much written on this subject and, if you push your luck on rate of charge or length, you are likely to blow a battery. Obviously, much time should be put into the design of the charging unit. A good battery charging source, either Ni-Cads or a lead acid battery, should be used. The system should include a variable resistor for adjusting the charge and a good 5-minute timer with an electric cut-off. Last but not least, a good amp-meter is needed, preferably 2 to 3 amp full scale. With this set up battery packs can be consistently and accurately charged without harm to the flight pack. It is my understanding that the information needed For a proper battery charging system is available with the Hytork electric motor. Also, I believe there is one ready-built which can be purchased with the motor. The amount of charge can be adjusted to vary the motor run, or a timer - such as the 'tick-off' can be added.

Material Selection: The success of many models, regardless or the type, depends on the careful selection of materials, so start with this in mind. As in all model construc-tion projects, thoroughly study the plans and understand them. Next, select the right type of wood for each assembly. It is sug-gested that all wood used in the stabilizer be light quarter-grain wood for maximum strength with minimum weight. The wood used for the laminated tips and pylon covering should be straight-grain 1/32 sheet. The leading edge stock should be firm, and able to take a bump or two. The sheet used for the fuselage can be medium weight straight- or quarter-grain balsa. Special care should be taken in selecting the 3/32 sq fuselage longerons. They should be hard and straight. The wing spar wood should be firm and straight along with the stab spar. All trailing edges cart be selected from fairly light straight- or quarter-grain wood. Last but not least, the rib stock should be a good grade of quarter-grain 1/32 sheet, except for the dihedral and center-section ribs, which should be firm straight-grain 1/16 sheet..."

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