RE: Self taught flying - My diary / progress
Carl, I started on my SIG LT-40 with an OS LA40. After I got better I found the engine to be too weak for my flying. I then got a Tower Hobbies .46ABC engine. I love this engine! It has great power and is extremely reliable. I have had a few dead sticks with the engine, but only a few and usually because I ran out of gas. I was away from the hobby for about 6 years and the engine just sat. When I went to start the engine this year it fired up like it had never sat. It is just too bad they don't make this engine any more. I don't know much about the other engines, but I do know OS makes good ones. Bottom line, make sure you have a good engine. It is not that bad if you go deadstick with the plane up high, but if you loose the engine on takeoff, or when you are low, well, you can do the math.
OH, if you have some money burning a hole in your pocket try a 4-stroke. The sound is awesome and the low end power has to be seen to be believed.