Sometimes those of us who have been flying gas helicopters for a while just take it for granted that everybody understands how to determine fuel/oil mixtures so I wanted to go through some basic information for those pilots who are new to gas helicopters.
First off, with the most common motors we are using regardless of whether you're using gasoline, lantern fuel or SEF (the one without oil), you will need to mix oil with it before you run it in your helicopter.
Its beyond the scope of this post to discuss the different oils and what if any reasons you might want to use one vs the other, suffice it to say you need to use an oil designed to be used as a pre-mix with a petroleum based fuel. Here are a couple of examples that I have used
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Pre-Mix Oil Examples
Its also beyond the scope of this thread to discuss what fuel/oil premix ratio to use. But from time to time I see questions from beginners asking how to determine how to achieve a certain pre-mix ratio
So here is a chart for both Imperial and Metric measures which lists the most common fuel/oil premix ratios that are used with model helicopters and how much oil needs to be added to a given amount of fuel.
In EVERY CASE, always refer to information provided by the engine manufacturer, the engine modifier and/or the oil manufacturer to determine what oil ratio you should use
![]()
Fuel/Oil Mixture Chart
So its fairly easy to measure the fuel, it either comes out of a metered pump or in pre-filled cans. The harder part is getting the right amount of oil in there. Its really not complicated, you just need something that measures either in Fluid Ounces or Milliliters. In its simplest form this can be a common kitchen measuring cup. I'd suggest you get one that is only used for this, borrowing one from you kitchen may prove to be hazordous to your health, literally. This one is pyrex, you can also get cheaper plastic or metal ones
![]()
Measuring Cup
A really simple way of dealing with oil premix ratios is to acquire one of these. This one is called a "Ratio Rite", its one of 2-3 products I've seen that are graduated not only in volume but also by actual mix ratios
![]()
Ratio Rite
Here you can see some of the ratios supported. They are molded into the plastic for imperial measures of 1, 1.5 and 2 gallon qtys. There may also be a metric version, I don't know
![]()
Ratio Rite Mixture Options
With this, you simply sit the cup on level, determine which of the volume charts you want to use and then pour your oil into the cup until it reaches the level for the ratio you are mixing for.
Then just pour it into the raw fuel and shake it up. For the record, I normally add the oil to the fuel, it will also work to put the oil into the fuel container first and then add the fuel. The key is to make sure you shake the mixture up to make sure its blended together properly.
The Bottom Line:
Mixing oil into your fuel is relatively easy, you just need something that can measure the oil in fairly small quantities.
First off, with the most common motors we are using regardless of whether you're using gasoline, lantern fuel or SEF (the one without oil), you will need to mix oil with it before you run it in your helicopter.
Its beyond the scope of this post to discuss the different oils and what if any reasons you might want to use one vs the other, suffice it to say you need to use an oil designed to be used as a pre-mix with a petroleum based fuel. Here are a couple of examples that I have used
Pre-Mix Oil Examples
Its also beyond the scope of this thread to discuss what fuel/oil premix ratio to use. But from time to time I see questions from beginners asking how to determine how to achieve a certain pre-mix ratio
So here is a chart for both Imperial and Metric measures which lists the most common fuel/oil premix ratios that are used with model helicopters and how much oil needs to be added to a given amount of fuel.
In EVERY CASE, always refer to information provided by the engine manufacturer, the engine modifier and/or the oil manufacturer to determine what oil ratio you should use
Fuel/Oil Mixture Chart
So its fairly easy to measure the fuel, it either comes out of a metered pump or in pre-filled cans. The harder part is getting the right amount of oil in there. Its really not complicated, you just need something that measures either in Fluid Ounces or Milliliters. In its simplest form this can be a common kitchen measuring cup. I'd suggest you get one that is only used for this, borrowing one from you kitchen may prove to be hazordous to your health, literally. This one is pyrex, you can also get cheaper plastic or metal ones
Measuring Cup
A really simple way of dealing with oil premix ratios is to acquire one of these. This one is called a "Ratio Rite", its one of 2-3 products I've seen that are graduated not only in volume but also by actual mix ratios
Ratio Rite
Here you can see some of the ratios supported. They are molded into the plastic for imperial measures of 1, 1.5 and 2 gallon qtys. There may also be a metric version, I don't know
Ratio Rite Mixture Options
With this, you simply sit the cup on level, determine which of the volume charts you want to use and then pour your oil into the cup until it reaches the level for the ratio you are mixing for.
Then just pour it into the raw fuel and shake it up. For the record, I normally add the oil to the fuel, it will also work to put the oil into the fuel container first and then add the fuel. The key is to make sure you shake the mixture up to make sure its blended together properly.
The Bottom Line:
Mixing oil into your fuel is relatively easy, you just need something that can measure the oil in fairly small quantities.