ORIGINAL: xcellheli

I personally jumped onto the list. I have had a 110 running on JMB canisters for 2 years. It spins a Mejlick 28x10 6800rpm and pulls 54lbs according to a fish scale. So far the thing has held up great. From what I can see comparing it to a DA 100, the light weight comes from many things.

The overall length of the motor is shorter.
The stroke is shorter, this makes the jugs shorter, the connecting rods shorter and the counterweights smaller.
The machining of the case is much more detailed with metal removed from every crack and crevis
The cooling fins are thinner (overheating has not been a problem)

If the 55 is anything like the 110, it will be great. My father is a die hard DA fan with 2 50's (one of which seized up), but after seeing my 110 had to order one. To date he loves it.

A guy I fly with has a DA150 (which also seized up), and was originally a nay sayer, but is now changing his mind as well. He says when BME makes the 8lb four cylinder 220, he is going to ditch the 150. He may be waiting a while for that one though.