This mount came with an ARF kit I just bought. I don't feel very comfortable with this type of mount. Is this a break-away mount? I don't like the way it holds the engine and it gives me the impression of a disaster waiting to happen. Get a fixed mount and junk this one?

If it's the one that came out of a Hobbico Avistar, no it's not a "break-away" mount and is very strong. If your issue is with the two metal plates that hold your engine down, you can go ahead and take those off and drill your own mounting holes. Just be sure to use Lock-tite on all screws and nuts.

I've seen these mounts before and wouldn't use one. Goldberg and Tower both have mounts that are two separate pieces. They can be adjusted any way you want from side to side and up or down. They are long enough for four strokes. I usually drill and tap the mounts and then use a bolt that is long enough to install a nylon locknut. The length of the mount is determined by the engine, 4 or 2 stroke. Just cut off the part you don't need with a razor saw. A friend of mine lost an airplane because the engine shifted under the clamps used on the mount you show. If I can't drill a hole in the mount for the mounting screws, I don't want it.

My bet is that that mount came off of a phoenix model ARF like the canary. If everything is tightned down well, it works great. And if you need to change the incedence (left-right) you can do it in a flash. It also allows you a little room to move the engine forward or back. If you arent comfortable with the mount... send it to me and I´ll be happy to use it

That looks like the mount I have on my H9 Alpha trainer...I haven't had any problems with it.

Looks like the mount on my Avistar... I've used it for many, many
flights with no problem what so ever.. And it's soon to be tested in
the water environment.. I'd use it without any fear of a problem...

I have one of those on my Avistar and it worked great even in a crash. It broke off and took some of the impact. I think they work just fine for some applications. If you want or need to go lighter go with a composite (plastic) type. I used a composite on my U. Stick and it took off weight I didn't want to have on the front.

Yep, had one of those on my Avistar, too. It survived a crash, and is now holding my OS .50 SX onto my SPAD. Works great! I use Loctite on the bolts/nuts to be sure they don't come loose from vibration. I like it because you can adjust the engine position without having to redrill it.

No problem either on my H9 Arrow.

I've never had a problem with those type mounts, either, plus it's lot easier to make any adjustments.

Looks like a good mount. Just dont use those clip thingys. Mark your motor mount holes and either drill through the mount and use a locknut on the backside or drill and tap the holes and bolt right into the mount with a lockwasher on top.

How about those handy nose gear mounting hole. I use this mount and have had no problems.


[8D]

Had this mount in a Hangar 9 Arrow. It supported an OS .46 AX. No problems. Using it in a Cessna 182. I use long screws, nylon lined nuts and lockwashers. It aint gonna come out of there if you have it tight.

Dave...

Since you have it -- use it. I have broken two of those in crashes, but I have never heard of one failing in normal use.

I thought the same thing, but it won`t fail in normal use. I broke one in a crash, and I thought it was perhaps too brittle, not able to withstand the same punishment as a nylon mount, but they`re not designed to crash.

I endorse the comment that if you use loktite and nylock nuts, snug it down, it will never move. The bonus is that it is easy to adjust the engine position.

I think this mount is a piece of JUNK.......Here is why......I have a NEW Hobbico Avistar arf with a OS AX.46 with about 15 flights on it. On Sunday after Church went to fly, beautiful day!!!!!. I flew 3 times for about 20 minutes, refueling after each time. Brought it in & refueled it for the 4th flight of the day, took off and after a couple of inverted passes I thought I went dead stick, so I brought it in and while I was landing it I heard a loud rattling noise.... After a successfully landing I inspected the engine to surprisingly finding that both motor mounts had broken just behind the first bolt holes. Boy was I lucky....I forever check bolts. nuts, ect. to make sure everything is tight..... Anyone have any insight or opinions to why this may have happened?

These mounts are junk. On my Hanger 9 40 Ultra Stick the mount failed from metal fatigue after about 200 flights. I have never had a prop strike. These mounts don't stand up to high vibration. The vibration I am referring to is not from a unbalanced prop either. I run a APC 11x5 on a TT 46 Pro. The crystalline nature of the cast aluminum alloy can be clearly seen in the fracture. The mount failed just after a take-off after a touch and go. Fortunately, the engine hung up on the throttle push rod and I was able to dead-stick safely with no additional damage.

I guess the reason most people don't seem to have a problem is either that they don't fly that much or that they don't run at high RPM much.

Safe Flying!

I've used several of those. They are a Hanger 9 product and are for sale at my LHS. The straps seem to hold OK, although they add too much weight in my opinion.

By the way, the metal this mount is made from is soft and easily filed. I removed the mounting pads with a file and drilled & tapped mounting holes on one of mine to save weight.

Now that I've read the comments in the preivous post I may replace them.

I have used several of that type of mount and never had a problem

If you wanted to redrill the holes and mount the engine directly to it, go right ahead, but I certainly wouldn't throw it away!

I crashed and brought back my Avistar so many times that I hate to try to remember how many times. Never had any problems with the mount and I'm even going to reuse it in a new Tower Hobbies 40 arf rather than the new one. The only thing I did do was make wood spacers to fit around the engine mounting lugs to prevent it from moving around. Absolutely no problems.

Tom

I've seen these on many ARF's. They are becoming the standard. Only time I've seen a problem is if the screws are overtightened and cause failures. Yes, they may break during a crash. Better the mount that the engine case in my opinion. IMHO use the mount unless it just irks you to death for some reason. Spacers to avoid slippage is a good idea.