Kochj,
When the largest engines allowed were 2C 60, they were run on alcohol. Figure out the cost of the average 60 2C airplane (then or now).
When 120 4C was allowed in pattern, they were run on alcohol. Figure out the cost of the average 120 4C airplane (then or now...it is more than the 60 2C).
When unlimited engines were allowed in pattern, they were (and still are) run on alcohol. And the average cost increased again.
IF you allowed 80-86" planes in pattern, some would use gasoline engines to save fuel costs. The best performance would be from 50cc engines running on alcohol (not unlike TOC competitors in the early days of the TOC). The alcohol powered 50 cc 80-86" pattern plane would cost a LOT more than the current 2M pattern planes or current day 50cc gasoline aerobats. Both the current day 2M planes and current day 80-86" aerobats would be at a severe performance disadvantage compared to an 80-86" purpose build pattern plane (running on alcohol).
Regards,
Dave
ORIGINAL: kochj
If Alcohol is the way to go in planes, then WHY do we all
run 50cc gasoline singles 2-strokes in our 80-86 wingspan aerobatic aircrafts???
These do not cost 4000$ dollars , and do they NOT, FLY lighter than a 2METER pattern plane with
a 3m 1.70 or a ys 1.70???? Or am I wrong?
I think the reality of it all is that, with the current rules, NO manufacture will make a pattern engine
that is LIght enough or powerfull enough to compete in the highest levels of pattern..
It just isn't going to happen..