IMO if you look at price range of the engine you can come up with some pretty intresting conclusion. The LA is one of the cheapest engine other then the TT ABC they are noisy and have a little less power, but are light. You can spend 20 or 30 bucks more for the middle of the line TT BB ABC or ST 40 ring, little bit more power but are heavy and noisy. Now spend 30 or 40 bucks more and you move to the OS FX and others in the price range and you get more power, lighter, and a very quiet runing 2 cycle... You get what you pay for... But why would you want to start investing money on expensive an engine, radio, and plane if there is a chance that you might not want to stick with the hobby? Also, chances are (if you'r like me starting out hehehe) you will put that engine and plane through hell and back before it over. Spend less, have fun, and it wont hurt as bad when there is an oops(hope not). Well thats my esay for the year : o )