Yes, electrics do fail - as evey propulsion system does from time to time - and while the batteries are getting better and lighter all the time, it is still difficult to meet weight requirements, and there is the issue of field-charging the batteries.

The main reason I was on the verge of going electric (before the SAP-180 came along!) was because of the ever-escalating cost of glow fuel. Had I gone electric, I would have gotten a Honda generator as well. If you want to practice a lot, gas is the way to go. And the SAP-180 has made this possible.

I don't know whether or not an OS 1.40 or 1.60 would meet sound restrictions. On pipes, they can be extremely quiet. Also don't know, but perhaps the power curve would also not be ideal with a stock muffler.

All my humble and occasionally ill-informed opinion, of course.