Why do model airplanes use brushless motors?
In the field of model aircraft, brushless motors have become the mainstream power choice. Whether it is a fixed-wing aircraft, a multi-rotor drone or a helicopter, brushless motors have won widespread favor for their efficient, durable and stable performance. This article will provide an in-depth analysis of the advantages of brushless motors and demonstrate their differences with brushed motors through structured data comparison.
1. The core advantages of brushless motors

Brushless motors replace the mechanical commutation structure of traditional brush motors through electronic commutation, thus bringing the following significant advantages:
| Comparative item | Brushless motor | brushed motor |
|---|---|---|
| efficiency | 85%-95% | 70%-80% |
| lifespan | 10,000+ hours | 1,000-3,000 hours |
| maintenance requirements | Almost maintenance free | Carbon brushes need to be replaced regularly |
| power to weight ratio | higher | lower |
| Control accuracy | More accurate | Average |
2. Analysis of aircraft model application scenarios
Different types of aircraft models have different requirements for the power system, and brushless motors become the optimal solution due to their characteristics:
| Model aircraft type | power requirements | Brushless motor advantages |
|---|---|---|
| Multi-rotor UAV | High response speed and precise speed regulation | Electronic commutation enables millisecond response |
| Fixed wing aircraft | High efficiency, long endurance | Reduce energy loss and increase battery life |
| racing drone | Explosive, lightweight | High power density supports 3:1 push-to-weight ratio |
| Large model aircraft | High torque and reliability | Spark-free design is safer |
3. Detailed explanation of technical principles
The working principle of brushless motor determines its excellent performance:
1.Electronic commutation system: The rotor position is detected by the Hall sensor, and the three-phase current is accurately controlled by the electric control (ESC), completely eliminating the friction loss of mechanical commutation.
2.Thermal design: The stator winding is in direct contact with the casing, and the heat dissipation efficiency is more than 40% higher than that of a brushed motor, supporting continuous high-current operation.
3.Rotor structure: Using permanent magnet design, comparison of typical magnetic pole pairs:
| Motor type | Common polar logarithms | Speed range (RPM) |
|---|---|---|
| Model aircraft outer rotor | 12-14 poles | 5,000-30,000 |
| industrial rotor | 4-8 poles | 3,000-10,000 |
4. Purchasing Guide
When choosing a brushless motor for model aircraft, you need to pay attention to the following key parameters:
| parameters | Calculation formula | Typical value |
|---|---|---|
| KV value | No-load speed/voltage | 800-2000KV |
| Maximum current | Power/Voltage | 20-100A |
| Thrust | Blade diameter²×pitch×KV value | 500-5000g |
5. Future development trends
According to recent industry trends, brushless motor technology is developing in three directions:
1.Integrated design: Integrate the ESC and motor to reduce the weight of the connecting cable by 30%.
2.Intelligent control: Real-time optimization of motor efficiency through AI algorithm, the latest test shows that it can increase battery life by 15%.
3.New material applications: Gallium nitride (GaN) power devices reduce the size of ESCs by 50% while supporting higher switching frequencies.
In summary, brushless motors have become the irreplaceable power core of modern model aircraft due to their technological advancement. As technology continues to iterate, its performance advantages will be further expanded.
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