A lot of this information is already on the thread: "If you had to choose any 3" but a lot of people are missing it so here we go again.

First, a lot of the old favorites are gone now but there are still plenty of good engines being made today, including rear exhaust. You have to decide application before you choose an engine. If you want to fly in SPA events you have to use a side exhaust engine .61 or smaller, no pipe (I think the novice class is exempt from this rule. In one of those decisions no one understands, tuned mufflers like the Ultra Thrust (Nelson) and the Jett are allowed in SPA. Be aware, these mufflers are tuned for an RPM range, get the one for the range you plan to operate your engine in, they are worth the money and you will notice the difference. Nelson is no longer making the Ultra Thrust so the Jett is the choice. Don't bother trying to fight the SPA rules, they have a good event with good turnouts and they're not going to change. If you must have a pipe/rear exhaust/retracts, set up your plane for BPA/CPA events. If you have no plans to compete, do whatever you want engine wise.

The engines: a lot have already been listed and if you want a period correct engine, try Mecoa. If money were no object, I would choose the Jett almost every time. The only problem is Dub does not make a big case 60 size motor. He has a .76, .90, and a 1.00 available in side or rear exhaust and in the cast or machined case (BSE) versions. They are not cheap but if you want ballistic performance, they pretty much have no equal. Dub has a small case .60 ( I think .56 now) which will work for smaller, light airplanes but it is a high RPM engine. I asked Dub about one of these for a Tiger Tail and he told me with an 11x8, I would probably break the crank. His recommendation was the OS 55 AX with his Jett Stream torque muffler. Dub not only knows more about 2 stroke engines than almost anyone on the planet, he's a straight shooter and won't sell you something he doesn't think will work.

OS has discontinued the .61 but the .55 AX is a strong engine for its size, I would get the Jett or Mac's one piece muffler to replace the stock one. The .75 AX and .95 AX look like nice engines for non SPA but I have never run either.

My current choice as best buy is the NovaRossi. Several years ago they began calling all the aircraft engines Rex but they are still made by NovaRossi. They have 2 lines now in aircraft engines, the original Novarossi/Rex with blue heads and the new CR (Cesare Rossi signature) series with purple heads. The blue head engines are available in side exhaust .60 and rear exhaust .61. The side exhaust has a unique 3 bolt muffler pattern but the US importer, Planet Hobby has an adapter which allows the use of an OS .61 bolt spacing muffler. These blue head engines were an incredible deal when I first bought them 5 or 6 years ago for a little over $100 with no muffler. Prices have gone up but still very reasonable considering the quality. About 2 years ago after many requests for an engine made for normal mufflers, Cesare Rossi developed the CR purple head motors. There are a .46 and .57 in small cases and .60 and .91 in what we would consider the big case or 60 size motor, all CRs are side exhaust and include a polished, tuned muffler. The blue head engines come with an inflight adjustable carb, the CRs with a non inflight remote needle carb. On my .57 I found you can switch the plug in the carb with the remote needle and have a standard type carb if you prefer. The throttle arm on the carb is extended for helicopters, I was able to flip it 180 degrees and get it where I wanted it, close to the engine. My .57 will turn an 11x7 at 13,000 RPM on 15% fuel using the included muffler. It will turn a 10x6 at 16,500 with the same muffler so it has a pretty wide range (all props APC). The CRs are more expensive but they are beautiful engines and in my opinion, the next best thing to a Jett. I should have a .60 CR when I get home in a few weeks and I'll try and get some run time on it.

With the exception of Thunder Tiger, I don't buy Chinese engines but if you're on a budget, I think the TT .61 Pro is a pretty good choice, especially if you catch it on sale and have the discount code. I don't have a problem with the machine work on these engines, it's the quality of the metal I find lacking or inconsistent. That may change in the future and others have had good luck with some like the Magnum. I have not and for now I'll stay with US or Italian made (the German Webra is gone).

None of these engines are pumped and if you must put your tank on the CG, you're going to have to go aftermarket with something like a Perry pump or the Cline regulator, both still available. I don't like the added complexity and still put my tanks right behind the firewall. Besides, my flying is not good enough for anyone to notice me trimming the elevator as I burn fuel. If you can get by with 12oz. of fuel, I really like the Jett bladder tanks but 12 is the largest. I don't know where to get Tettra tanks, they may have something bigger.

Last, use the best fuel you can get. NovaRossi recommends a 50/50 castor/synthetic blend with total oil at 20%. If you're not sure, buy a quart of good castor and put a few ounces in every gallon of fuel, cheap insurance. Glow plugs do make a difference, I bought some Merlin plugs last year and really like them. Get a couple of each heat range and experiment on a practice day at your home field.

George T