Abstract: An electrically powered scale model airplane is disclosed in which a rechargeable electric storage battery is positioned within the aircraft fuselage to balance the weight of a nose mounted direct drive motor. A switch for energizing the motor driving the propeller is arranged to be adjusted from an "off" position to an "on" position by remotely operated control cables acting through a bellcrank assembly used to change the orientation of the aircraft elevator during flight, thus allowing the aircraft to be operated by a single individual. The switch may be manually operated to an "off" position from the outside of the aircraft fuselage in preparation for recharging of the battery.