I noticed the question of air start vs. electric start, and would like to reply... Engine starting with the electric starter motors currently used is hard on the engines because of the low RPM at which the engines are forced to start. This is generally hard on the engine. Also, from a safety factor, air starting affords the ability to blow all combustibles out of the engine in the event of a fire or a wet start. Another benefit is the reduction in flight weight due to the decrease in onboard componentry required.
Sorry the safety factor argument died several years ago. And I have to disagree with air blowing it out of the engine. You also can't tell me after 250 flawless runs on just one of my P-120's this year that autostart is harder on the engine. Sorry I just don't buy that argument. Air start is cumbersome and a pain in the *** to haul out to the flightline. I might buy the decrease in the onboard weight but who cares about that.....the engines we are using have plenty of power anyways. Not trying to start an argument or a flamewar here, I am sure that you guys have a nice little engine there. But....I know I would not even consider buying an engine now that was not autostart.
David Reid