OS recommends using an electric starter only on all of their engines now, two and four stroke. I don't know why, maybe a CYA thing. It didn't make me run to the hobby store and buy an electric starter for my .46 FX. Starts so easy that it makes you wonder why people even bother with electric starters. Joe Wagner reviewed the new .56 Alpha 4S in the latest Model Aviation and stated that he had no problems hand starting it, in spite of OS recommending an electric starter only.