mjfrederick,

The Orion does make about 200 flights now and did have at least 8 deadsticks.
Because the engine did have some troubles after I did buy it for 65 Euro and before overhauling, he did quit a lot of times in the beginning.

The sound of the engine is the most important feedback.
No sound, so keep speed.
Next step is "bail out" or trying to "save the plane", always the second point.
Gear up or gear down, depending on location of touch down.
Landing between the cows gear up.
Landing on the field gear down, but to much speed and no barriër, gear up again.

You have to be prepared for everything that can happen on any moment, flying engine powered airplanes, and be lucky the plane still is flyable!
I even did touch the ground with the propeller in a full speed low pass, with gear up, so, no problem!
It became a landing with gear up between the cows.
Two times a landing in a tree (treeing?) and I was lucky he didn't drop down!

Price of this plane! Scratch build and not more than 250 Euro inclusive the engine. (no radio)
Span, 1,75 m about 4,5 kg ! Engine, second hand ENYA 60 4C.
Construction all wood, at least more wood than battery!.
After overhauling the engine no more deadsticks just as nearly with my modern two strokes (one time!)

Cees


BTW, When I did read this somewere in the thread: remember when 4-strokes first came out people resisted them at first because they were "different". Nobody blinks an eye now.
I thought: "I did forget write one fact: All my planes, silk and dope covered, I resist using modern materials already for many years. Only proven quality I buy, even second hand! So there will never be electric propulsion, also not in the future!"