Okay - thanks Dave and MattK - your responses are in line with the little I have learned so far - the lighter the wing loading the better. Thought there might be something different with pattern planes given Alejandro's response. And I agree Dave - electrics (and ultimately consumers) pay a HUGE price requiring them to make weight with batteries (their fuel) while IC gets to weigh without fuel.

By the way, I play a lot of golf so I'm fully aware of the foot-dragging a ruling body can show in updating rules but this rule (and its prejudicial application) seems one of those that requires immediate reconsideration.

DLE 55 in a pattern plane??? Sounds like fun!

Jack