Just finished my GP Easy Sport, and while I will probably spend the entire season flying this plane, I already have my next project on the workbench (yes I'm addicted ) : a Great Planes Dazzler.

Now, the mfg suggest the use of an OS .40LA, and specifies a weight of 3,5 - 4 lbs.

I'm planning on building this thing as lite as possible: I will replace all balsa sheeting from the kit with competition grade balsa handpicked from the LHS. I'm also planning on replacing a lot of the plywood with balsa and laminating a thin layer of fiberglass/carbon in between for strength. I'm definetely aiming for the 3,5 lbs margin, or - if at all possible - even slightly less than that.

Now I have an OS .46LA in my workshop, which crancks out 1.2Bhp @ 16000rpm, compared to the 1.0Bhp @ 16000rpm of the .40LA
The best part of this is that the .40LA weights 9,5oz and the .46LA only 9,6oz - which is quiet the same...
They also have the same outside dimensions (they actually use the same housing) so mounting won't be any issue.

Now, what I'm wondering, will it have good vertical ? Can I make it hover, or it the engine just not up to that job ?

the .46LA is now in a trainer plane weighting in at 5 lbs, and a 67" wingspan (the dazzler only has a 48" WS) It doesn't have unlimited vertical, however there enough power for most things (yes it can pull a hammerhead if I pick up enough speed on the horizontal line... sort of)

On the trainer I had an APC 11x7 prop, which I will replace on the dazzler with a 11x5 (this should already improve vertical right ?)

Any suggestions welcome ! If anyone has already build the kit and has some good tips, I'm listening !