I'm stepping up from a .40 size low-wing trainer to the Venus II .90 size pattern plane with an OS 120AX engine. OH MY!!!

I received the wrong radio from Tower, twice, and had to borrow a 6ch radio from a very generous club member, so all I was able to do was install the receiver, center the servos, and run a break-in tank of fuel through the engine (need to set up throws, coordinate dual servos, etc.).

As with OS reputation, the engine started right up. I had difficulty with my fueling system due to the different radio and the new setup I have for this plane, and the engine totally didn't care. I flipped the engine with my chicken stick as my little battery/starter wasn't enough to get through the compression stroke (even with the 'running start' method), and it started for the first time within a handful of flips. I followed OS recommended break-in routine of running "4 cycle" then "2 cycle" for 10 second intervals (this is a ringed engine, which I thought would have a different break-in, but I called product support who verified it's the same procedure.) So I got the whole first tank through without having to restart the engine, let it cool down for a few minutes, and started a second tank to see how the engine idled, advanced, etc.

Flawless!!! The low mixture comes rich from the factory as it's set for 15% nitro and I only use 10%, so there was some expected hesitation upon advancing the throttle, but not enough to stall the engine. Ran great at all RPM, and the engine is even mounted at 135 degrees. No problems. With my UVM School of Engineering approved left arm tension scale, I received a measurement of 18lbs of thrust at full RPM. And, the plane was tied down using one of those screw-in steaks used to tie down your dog, and the plane started to move the steak while buried in the ground!

The 120AX is yet another winner from OS, and just reinforces the fact that this series of engines is worth every penny. I say it over and over again - I have been given reason to not even consider another brand of 2 stroke engines. My OS engines are the best running and easiest starting engines out of the 40 members and God knows how many planes in my club.

I was very eager to get right home and finish setting up the plane to maiden tomorrow, but I had to tell someone, or EVERYONE, about my excitement for this engine so here I am telling you. All I could do was smile and laugh at the field, as did the other guys who saw it

Thanks OS! I can't wait to see what happens with the plane in the air!!!