Well, many of us like to gripe about the four-stroke .91's not really belonging on an SPA model anyway. The classic pattern models were flown with 10cc two-strokes originally and that's what they should be flown with now - so many of us think.

Lots of folks won't bother with Magnum and Saito .91 engines, although it is my thought that the majority of we SPA enthusiasts aren't going to practice much anyway, when compared to how we practiced when we aspired to be pattern heroes. Meaning that an engine that is less robust than OS might serve us well in our older years. With OS' introduction of the 1.10, some think it likely that OS will discontinue their present .91 size engines, leaving a gap between the new .81 and the new 1.10. Even if they bring out a new .91, it is likely that it will be ridiculously priced. I know I won't be buying any OS four-stroke that costs me more than $250 net, plus delivery. It's just the principle of the thing. I don't endure price gouging with grace.

Personally, if people absolutely had to have a four-stroke engine, I wouldn't be against letting them run a .75. That, even with 30% nitro fuel, would be closer to the power output of a 10cc two-stroke with a high performance muffler (we won't say the resonant word).

I know that you know all of this. I'm just restating some of it so that we're all on the same page.

Moving the permitted four-stroke displacement up to 1.10 would be a bad move. I think we would see a loss in membership as a result. Not that I have room to talk. I keep forgetting to mail the cotton picking check. Sure wish they would accept PayPal. I'm willing to pay the extra 3.9% myself.


Ed Cregger