Bear in mind that a VAST majority of the guys that have purchased the DA 50 are first time gas engine owners and as such they have no point of reference other than how they have been treated by DA. Considering that basically all of these engines have either been, or will be, upgraded speaks volumes about DA's commitment to it's customers. I, like many others don't have a problem with sending it back IF they are going to make it better than it was before it went out the door, IMO they have done that.

So where is the problem anyway? I have read quite a few posts about problems obtaining satisfactory service from other companies on RCU as well, ZDZ was one of the brands where a few guys had issues with the company. Did it make me want to buy a ZDZ, not really because I didn't want to be one of those guys that sent their engine in and waited a month to get it back and then got a bill to boot.

I already had a good idea of what to expect if I purchased a DA because we have guys around here that fly 100 and 150 twins and have had exemplary service and have NOTHING bad to say about their experiences with DA.

Quite simply put, I didn't buy a DA 50 because I thought it was going to be a perfect product. I purchased mine because I knew IF there were issues with it I was going to be taken care of. Of course there were issues, the 50 was a new design and was a departure from what DA had been doing and as such it was highly unlikely IMO that it would be trouble free. Remember, ZDZ and Brison and others have made and sold single cylindar engines for a LOT longer than DA has, they know what works and what doesn't, DA is getting there. It doesn't take a degree to figure out that there would be issues with some of these engines, in fact I'm surprised more didn't have major issues. Notice I said some because not all of them had issues. I have a friend that has one from the first production batch and it is still running hard and he has no intention of sending it in, unless it develops issues.

So, if the idea of having to send an engine in for service turns you off or if you feel that the very need for such transits constitutes an unreliable product perhaps you should sell it and buy something else. As for me I, as of yet, have no reason to be dissatisfied with my decision to purchase from DA. I will continue to buy DA engines in the future with confidence because I firmly believe DA will be there to take care of me when I need them. This is far more important to me than how reliable a first run designs holds up and performs for a newby gasser owner that has a lot to learn.