A Tale of two Dakotas -- Andre Killian and Peter Morey

The intention of the articles on building and flying the ESM Dakota is to share information on considerations and choice of the power systems including the motors, batteries, electronic speed controls, four stroke or two stroke motors, building issues relating to each, cost and performance comparisons and hopefully to get feedback on the flying characteristics of these aircraft! Two versions of this aircraft are available locally; the one based on the aircraft used by Delta Airlines in the USA (used in the glow version) and the second based on the Springbok Safaris aircraft flying from the Rand Airport in Gauteng (electric version). Part one will focus on general considerations for electric aircraft and the electric version and part two on the glow version, building, cost and performance considerations and flying the aircraft...read more