I have this same engine on a Four Star, and I love it. The LA series engines get a lot of flak for being low powered, but my LA .46 is the most dependable engine I have. It is my only engine that I can start and fly immediately without messing with the needle valves.

I always start mine with an electric starter, but once it's warm, it starts on the first flip with a stick. I always flip clockwise with the stick, and it fires on the rebound and runs counterclockwise.