Something I've wondered is why the single cylinder two-stroke gas engines that we use for our planes don't idle at a slower speed. Why won't they idle at say 800 rpm? Is the reason that there isn't enough mass turning to overcome the compression? In my experience heavier props tend to make a gas engine idle better and slower, but I am not sure if the flywheel effect is the main reason why they won't idle lower. I am not having any particular problems with my planes--my gas engines idle around 1700 (sometimes 1600, sometimes 1800 depending upon the day), which is fine for me, just curious. Thoughts?

-Ed B.