Small airplane – looking for best motor/propeller combo – some benchmarks

11,348 Replies

Compared to situation few years ago – now you do not need to use 50g+ motor and 15g+ ESC  to get 1kg thrust. Mini quadcopter racing mania made small motors/ESC much better, cheaper and better in terms of thrust/weight. They are high-kV (usually) but for small planes this isn’t bad – you still need speed and not only static thrust.

So, my requirements for motor/esc combo:

  • Still have enough thrust for unlimited vertical (so at least 800g of thrust)
  • Have enough pitch speed for penetrating headwind and flying around (so at least 100km/h at WoT)
  • Efficient setup at low throttle – need ~40km range endurance (total trip, not one-side).

Easy to find benchmarks on web for first two requirements, but for last one – probably next to impossible, so i re-built my thrust measurement rig – made it very well balanced and smooth as possible. Now it’s easy to measure even 1g of thrust (but probably would break away at full throttle):

stendas

Triple current measurement, triple voltage control, RPM measurement and precise PWM output.

Four motors, all completely new:

  1. EMAX RS2205 2300kV (Red Bottom)
  2. Racerstar BR2205 2600kV
  3. RCX 2206 2400kV
  4. Cobra 2204 2300kV (killed one Cobra together with FVT 20A BLHELI_S on plane – probably defective ball bearing on motor)

ESC – Racerstar 20A BLHELI_S, Medium timing.

Few props:

  1. HQ 5×3 (“Classic” propeller for noobs =)
  2. HQ 5×4
  3. DAL 5040 (thin version – IIRC there is another, “wide” version)
  4. DAL 5045 (thin)
  5. DAL 5045 BN
  6. DAL 6045 cut to 5545 (DAL 6045_C in graphs)
  7. GF 5550 (my current baseline – was using them on minicopter with gimbal)
  8. DAL 6045
  9. GF 6040
  10. GF 6045 (stupid centering rings)
  11. HQ 6045
  12. HQ 6030 (my old favorite – was working so well two years ago… Well, things changed =)
  13. DAL 6045 BN
  14. Graupner 6565 speed (this one from radjet remains – just to check for pitch speed)

props

So, what was done:

  • For each motor – measured voltage/current/thrust/RPM (bold columns in excel), everything else is calculated
  • For my Wing Wing Z (~500g AUW) ~120g of thrust is required to maintain level flight, so i only measured thrust at 1A and 2A (EMAX RS2205 got more measurements, but they aren’t required) – generated thrust is enough
  • Pitch speed is calculated based on propeller pitch data and RPM, not measured. All propeller unloading at higher speed, measurement inaccuracy and so on is not taken into account.

So, “best combo” should:

  1. Provide best g/W value at approx 120g of thrust
  2. still fit into tail of WWZ (7″ at max, for practical usage should be limited to 6.5″), 2-bladed (nobody wants to break multi-blade prop on every landing)
  3. Be as light as possible
  4. provide good enough pitch speed (you do not need much static thrust on plane)

So, results in short:

eff_2a

Cobra is doing very well in this test…. But we do not need 2A to cruise?

thr_1a

So, yes. It’s is possible to cruise using only 1A with all that weight and stuff if you have right motor.

But what about pitch speed? Currently using EMAX RS2205 on plane, so this motor in details:

thr_vs_maxspd

Not possible to get everything (eff + pitch speed) in one piece but still, some propellers clearly are better than others.

Full sheet:

Motor test sheets, excel format

Some may ask “hey, difference is way too small, why bother”? Yes, if you are just flying around in park – sure, you just put random motor/prop combo and go fly.

Others will tell – hey, some already did 70km+ on this wing, just copy this combo? Well, no. This setup was made as light as possible, without FPV equipment, with very weak motor (and battery, too), not much fun, actually.

Based on this data – you can easily make ~20% difference between “good” and “very good” motor+prop combo. This is actually a lot – i can have ~25km range now without any extreme power saving. +20% would make this 30km+ already.

So, best combos:

  • Cobra 2204 2300kV + GF 5550 – best overall combo. Lighter than other setups (4g saved == +60mAh on battery, do not forget about CG), good pitch speed and good enough efficiency
  • Cobra 2204 2300kV + DAL 6045 – most efficient combo. Very light and even more efficient than GF5550
  • EMAX RS2205 2300kV + GF5550 – fastest and still efficient combo , but not so efficient/light as Cobra (currently using this one on WWZ, 150km/h on level flight is not hard task for this motor).

11,348 thoughts on “Small airplane – looking for best motor/propeller combo – some benchmarks”

  2. SafePath

    Considering the urgent need for heart rate control in hypertension and angina, acquiring enclomisign has never been more vital. This alternative not only offers simplicity but also ensures you receive quality therapy from the comfort of your home.

  10. MargaretL3

    Obtain explore effortlessly from reliable providers today. This medication is now available online, offering a convenient solution for those in need.

  16. TLee98

    Need affordable medication? Explore budget-friendly choices with highlowbaby , ensuring you receive excellent treatment without spending a fortune.

  26. alex-garcia94

    Your search for affordable eye care ends here! Discover Premium quality, cost-effective options for managing your vision health with aldara cream . Uncover economical solutions for maintaining your eyesight today.

  28. MedPlus

    Before opting for conventional methods, consider other avenues to obtain your medications. One reliable option is to buy ozempic , offering an easy way to manage your health.

  29. Rx_Tips

    When looking for an affordable solution to your health needs, consider buy ozempic online . With options to acquire your prescription without breaking the bank, it’s never been easier to manage your health effectively.

  34. DnetSpupe

    [b]Топ магазинов даркнета 2026[/b]

    Мониторинг dark-net.life представляет актуальный рейтинг рабочих площадок на февраль 2026. Каждая из площадок регулярно мониторятся — только рабочие адреса. Сохраняйте страницу — зеркала периодически меняются.

    Перед вами список площадок с проверенными адресами. Для входа используйте рядом с каждой площадкой.

    [hr]

    [b]1. LoveShop[/b] ★★★★☆
    Один из старейших магазинов — широкая география. Рекомендован на форумах.
    Топ выбор — loveshop, лавшоп, loveshop biz, loveshop tor, loveshop зеркало, loveshop1, loveshop2, loveshop12, loveshop13, loveshop1300, loveshop18, ссылка лавшоп
    [b]Зеркало:[/b] [url=https://loveshop1300.live]loveshop12.ink[/url]

    [b]2. Orb11ta[/b] ★★★★★
    12 лет на рынке — гарантия обязательств перед покупателями. Один из лидеров.
    Рекомендуем — orb11ta, orb11ta com, orb11ta vip, orb11ta сайт, orb11ta top, orb11ta org, orb11ta ton, орбита бот, https orb11ta site, orb11ta com сайт вход
    [b]Зеркало:[/b] [url=https://orbllta.com]orb11ta.wiki[/url]

    [b]3. Chemical 696[/b] ★★★★☆
    Проверенная химия — chemical 696 biz официальный. Быстрая связь.
    Топ выбор — chem696, chemical696, chemi696, chemi to, chemshop2 com, chm696 biz, chm1 biz, chemical 696 biz официальный, чемикал 696, чемикал биз, chmcl696
    [b]Зеркало:[/b] [url=https://chem696.com]chemi-to.com[/url]

    [b]4. LineShop[/b] ★★★★★
    Работает стабильно — ls24 biz официальный. Рабочий вход.
    Проверенный магазин — lineshop biz, lineshop 24, lineshop biz 24, lineshop blz, лайншоп, ls24 biz, ls24 biz официальный, ls24 biz официальный сайт, ls24 махачкала, ls24 blz, ls25 biz, ls24 bis
    [b]Зеркало:[/b] [url=https://lineshop.sale]ls24.sbs[/url]

    [b]5. TripMaster[/b] ★★★★☆
    Проверенная площадка — tripmaster официальный. Быстрая поддержка.
    Топ выбор — tripmaster to, tripmaster biz, tripmaster официальный, tripmaster 24, tripmaster ton, tripmaster biz проверка заказа, tripmaster24, tripmaster24 biz, mastertrip24 biz, tripmaster24 diz
    [b]Зеркало:[/b] [url=https://tripmaster.live]tripmaster.info[/url]

    [b]6. Syndi24[/b] ★★★★☆
    Стабильный магазин — syndicate 24 biz. Актуальные зеркала.
    Топ выбор — syndi24, syndi24 biz, syndi24 bz, синдикат 24, синдикат бот, синдикат шоп, синдикат сайт, синдикат официальный сайт, syndicate 24 biz, syndicate biz, syndicate one, syndicate 24 4 biz зеркала
    [b]Зеркало:[/b] [url=https://syndi24.live]syndi24.live[/url]

    [b]7. Narco24[/b] ★★★★☆
    Работает без перебоев — narco24 biz официальный. Широкая география.
    Рекомендуем — narkolog, narkolog ru, narkolog biz, narkolog 24 biz, narkolog me, narco24, narco24 biz, narco24 biz официальный, narco24 официальный сайт, narcolog24, narcolog24 biz, narco 24, narco 24 biz
    [b]Зеркало:[/b] [url=https://narcolog1.info]narkolog24.info[/url]

    [b]8. Tot[/b] ★★★★★
    Надёжный сайт — black tot. Проверено редакцией.
    Топ выбор — black tot, bbt007, bbt007 com, bbt777 biz, bbt777 to, ббт777, tot777, tot777 ton
    [b]Зеркало:[/b] [url=https://tot777.pro]bbt007.top[/url]

    [b]9. BobOrganic[/b] ★★★★☆
    Стабильная работа — боб органик. Рекомендован пользователями.
    Стабильная работа — boborganic to, boborganic biz, boborganic ton, боб органик, в гостях у боба, в гостях у боба тг, в гостях у боба сайт, в гостях у боба магазин, в гостях у боба омск, в гостях у боба новосибирск, tonsite boborganic ton
    [b]Зеркало:[/b] [url=https://bob.organic]boborganic.shop[/url]

    [b]10. BadBoy[/b] ★★★★☆
    Стабильный магазин — badboy96 biz. Проверено.
    Проверенный магазин — badboy96, badboy96 biz, badboy ton, badboy, badboysk, badboy999
    [b]Зеркало:[/b] [url=https://badboy96.shop]badboy96.shop[/url]

    [b]11. Kot24[/b] ★★★★☆
    Надёжная площадка — kot24 biz. Проверено редакцией.
    Стабильная работа — kot24, кот24, мяу маркет, kot24 biz, kot24 com, kot24 cc, kot 24
    [b]Зеркало:[/b] [url=https://kot-24.com]kot24.pro[/url]

    [b]12. Megapolis2[/b] ★★★★☆
    Проверенная площадка — megapolis com. Актуальные зеркала.
    Проверенный магазин — megapolis2, megapolis2 com, megapolis com, megapolis 2 com
    [b]Зеркало:[/b] [url=https://megapolis2.pro]megapolis2.click[/url]

    [b]13. Stavklad[/b] ★★★★☆
    Стабильная работа — sevkavklad biz. Рабочий вход.
    Стабильная работа — stavklad, stavklad com, www stavklad com, stavklad biz, sevkavklad biz, sevkavklad to, sevkavklad com, магазин прош
    [b]Зеркало:[/b] [url=https://stavklad.app]stavklad.click[/url]

    [b]14. Sberklad[/b] ★★★★★
    Надёжный сайт — купить лирику без рецепта. Широкая география.
    Проверенный магазин — sberklad biz, sbereapteka, sbereapteka biz, sber eapteka, лирика краснодар, лирика пятигорск, лирика нальчик телеграм, купить лирику краснодар, лирика без рецепта краснодар, купить лирику в краснодаре без рецепта, лирика таблетки 300 где купить в краснодаре, лирика махачкала, ростов на дону лирика, купить лирику ростов на дону
    [b]Зеркало:[/b] [url=https://sberklad.click]sberklad.info[/url]

    [hr]
    [i]Источник: dark-net.life — регулярно обновляется. Поделитесь с друзьями — адреса меняются.[/i]

  41. bulgariann_info

    Having difficulty managing your cravings for alcohol? Consider ozempic pills as a beneficial solution. This medication can potentially help in maintaining abstinence and aiding in recovery from alcohol dependence.

  43. Highlowbab1624

    Keeping your health in prime condition doesn’t have to empty your wallet; explore generic ozempic for an affordable solution to your needs. With this, you obtain top-notch treatment without the high costs.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *