ORIGINAL: freakingfast
When I set up 40 size trainers, it's always an OS 55ax. It's not for the speed, it's nice to have the power to undo what the student just handed you. Then again, I do wait to the last moment to take it, I want the student to not give up and fight to the last. Students love it. Haven't lost a trainer
The fuel usage is lower than any 40-60 engine I've ever come across, air time at training speeds is unreal.
I set up my 1st trainer, a 96" WS Sr Telemaster, W/a Saito FA150. I soloed it W/O crashing & didn't even have a compatable "buddy box" @ the club. I had the instuctor take it "2 mistakes high" & hand me the radio.
I soon was doing everthing but the landiings & after a short while I managed to do that too. After a few minor mishaps that afforded the opportunity to remove some wing incidence & dihedrel, adding wing struts, I had it doing knife edge.
After I put it straight in @ WOT doing a split "S" W/O sifficient altitude about a year later, I put the same engine in an 89" WS Dynaflite PT-19. W/all the added scale features. It wieghed 16#.
I had a snap roll switch on my radio & pulling it & holding it for all but the briefest touch would result in 3 snap rolls in rapid succession. The FA150 on that big airframe W/exposed oleo struts, roll bar, etc, had all the power needed for BIG power loops & short roll takeoffs.