Todd says that using a starter will do no harm. So maybe the choke issue is a moot point. I pride myself on hand starts but if it takes a starter for the first flight of the day, I would be willing to swallow my pride in the name of simplicity and lightness.

another stray thought... I have those often...As Scott asked...How much quieter could the set up be if the intake were ducted from the outside of the airframe from the top so as not to reflect noise off the ground? Also makes a thumb choke possible.

RC