Steve, I have no doubts about the engine it's self. I'm just wondering why OS would set up the ignition this way? 300 RPM on a hand flip is rather high. Thye RCEXL ignition has no minimum rpm, the DAand 3W ignitions do have a minimum although I don't know what the exact number is, Iknow it is lower then 300 RPM. Has anyone there at Hobbico considered bringing this up with OS? To me it just seems like alot of wear and tear on the end user so OS feels safer about accidental starts. BTW the reason I am opposed to starters on these large models is Ihave seen too many close calls. One guy pushing on the airplane while another pushes into the starter. I've seen the starter slip off the spinner and the guy with the starter almost fall into the prop arc. Once again IMO the more popular gassers have historically been the ones that start easily and have good support. Take ZDZ for example. Not a bad engine but they broke from starting tradition when they suggested propping at full throttle with ignition off then set to a high idle with ignition on. Then the service was poor.