While it is true the weight and power of the newer commercial gasoline airplane engine offerings are very good, and the prices aren't too bad, I continue with the conversions myself. If an airplane flies great and you are happy with it, why bother spending the extra money for just a little bit more performance?

Most of my airplanes will climb vertically out of sight, and cruise around happily at 1/2 throttle or less. Do I need more? Not for my money. Besides, conversions are fun and it is really cool to see the look on people's faces when you tell them the engine came out of a weedeater, leaf blower, chainsaw, etc., and cost you only 10 bucks or whatever.

The Homelites work fine, and I have had many, many happy flights with them. However, the Echo and Stihl engines, while a bit harder to find are much lighter and more powerful. My Echo and Stihl engines are only slightly heavier than the latest gas engine commercial offerings, and the power is fairly close once I've got them hopped up.

As far as weight goes, here's a good example. My 76" wingspan Tiger Moth biplane has a Ryobi 31cc on it, which is known as a heavy engine. The power is more than adequate and I rarely use full throttle. The airplane needed virtually no lead ballast to get the c.g. spot on. So why would I pay all the extra money to buy a lighter commercial engine, and then have to add lead weight to the front of the plane???

AV8TOR