Book excerpt: Seldom has a long-established hobby been transformed more than radio controlled model aircraft flying has been with the development of light-weight, inexpensive electric power systems. After decades of dominance by glow and gas powered internal combustion engines, the hottest thing in RC flying today is electric powered model aircraft.Energy dense lithium polymer batteries, powerful brushless electric motors and the digital devices that control them have taken the radio control hobby by storm. With them has come a veritable tsunami of molded foam models of nearly every type of airplane imaginable. Warbirds like the P-51 Mustang, aerobatic aircraft like the Edge 540 and a variety of trainers similar to the Cessna 172 fill the online marketplaces and the shelves of local hobby shops around the world. Traditional models, too, are being developed or converted to fly with electric power systems.These models have their own body of knowledge. Instead of tinkering with the needle valve settings of internal combustion engines, now modelers are computing watts, managing amps, determining volts and shopping for components that maximize power without exceeding the electronic limits of their model's components.RC Ground School provides you with the information you need to get started in the exciting hobby of model aviation. You'll get answers to these and other questions:What should I consider in choosing a model aircraft?What kind of transmitter should I consider?Should I go with a ready-to-fly kit or an almost-ready-to-fly model?What if I need to teach myself to fly?How can I find an instructor?How do I operate my model safely?How do electric models work? Come join the thousands of other modelers enjoying this fun and interesting hobby. RC Ground School is the perfect tool to help you get started.Already flying glow or gas airplanes? Thinking about converting to or adding an electric model to your hangar? The second half of the book is a deeper dive into what makes up an electric model's power system and what you'll need to know to convert that old friend to electric power or at least keep up with the conversations at the field.