I flew one for 2 yrs with a Magnum 91 2 stroke, 15X6 prop and had the "more than adequate power with lots of vertical" you are looking for. Mine was just over 8 pounds, as I mounted tail servos under the canopy, not at the tail, thus saving about a pound of weight. If I still had the plane, I would put the DLE 20 in it. I think it would be a great combination.