I think you will like the Saito 72. I have one and it is VERY reliable. Mine ran great out of the box.

A couple of tips with the Saito:

The engine requires a good gallon of fuel to be COMPLETELY broken in. You can fly it reliably after a couple of tanks though.

DO NOT FIDDLE WITH THE LOW END - 99% of them are fine from the box. You will not get a decent low end (idle at 1200 - 1500 rpm) until you have a gallon of fuel through it.

DO NOT TRY TO TUNE THE ENGINE BY EAR - USE A TACH. You will not be able to get a reliable tuning of the engine without a tach.

When running the engine - if it is not producing "smoke", especially at full throttle, it is RUNNING LEAN.

ABOUT every 2 gallons of fuel (or when the power drops off a little), you will need to adjust the valves. Follow the instructions in the manual and you will be fine.

If you use a needle valve extension, put a drop of locktite on the set screw - they tend to vibrate loose after about 3 - 4 tanks.

DO USE THE SAFETY NUT. If it kicks back, it will loosen the prop without it.


Mine is mounted inverted and starts with 3 - 4 flips of the prop - hand starting is highly recommended for this engine. Also SIPS FUEL. I have done 14 - 15 minute flights on an 8 oz tank and still had 1/4 - 1/3 tank of fuel when I landed.

I have it on a Jack Stafford Rearwin Speedster (56" span) that weighs in a hair under 6 lbs. With a 13 x 6 Master Airscrew and 10% fuel the plane has UNLIMITED VERTICAL. Kinda blows people away when you are putting along at 30' up and suddenly go full throttle AND full up and the plane goes straight up AND keeps going until it just a speck. It can go like a bat out of h*ll or fly nice and smooth. It is also VERY aerobatic. Slows down nicely for landings (although it does land a little faster than other high wingers I have) and handles 15 mph winds with no problems.