ORIGINAL: MTK
Simply stretching the pipe doesn't get you more mid range torque as it does with glow 2 strokes. It's a CDI set-up which doesn't need mixture and pipe length to establish ignition timing as does a glow 2 stroke.
To me, *powerplant offerings for pattern* is about options. The SAP is an option that did not exist 7 months ago. It offers 2meter pattern flying on a budget. Maybe, at the end of the day, if one wants to fly a lot and doesn't want to break the bank, this is the best approach. Inexpensive to own and operate compared to all the other offerings. The caveat is that it will not suit every flying style desired. Could it win? In the lower classes, definitely. In Masters and F3A, it may not, at least not in my hands (he, he, he)
Wish there was a low weight (4 ozs) belt reduction unit available, designed specifically for the SAP. Take the 9K and make it 6.5 and then drive a 19x14. That could prove better than anything directly driven. Quiet too! I guess I may need to do this myself