I am getting a Sig Kadet LT-40 and was wondering if I should get a nitro motor are a four stroke?
With the four stroke does it run on regular gas are what? I am a beginner but will join a club once I get it.

Welcome to RCU. No, 4-strokes are still nitro powered engines too. I would stick to a 2-stroke engine while you are training, they are a little bit easier to tune and maintain than a 4-stroke. And a new pilot has enough to learn as it is, you don't need to be messing with an engine on top of that. A good OS 46 AX would be an outstanding engine for that plane. There are other engines too, but I don't have first hand knowledge with them so I'll leave the recommendations to those that do have first hand knowledge.

Hope this helps

Ken

I vote the 46AX for the same reasons Ken gave you. Great running engine and easy to operate.

I put my 46AX on my Alpha for a bit and It had a lot of power, I find that the alpha flys very well on the 46LA that I put on after for a first plane this would be better.

The only problem I have with recommending the LA engines is that they have an air bleed low end adjustment. These can be very finicky and hard to set the low end for even experienced pilots, but can be pure nightmares for beginner's if they have to mess with them. The AX has a needle adjustment for the low end and is a bit easier for beginner's to use. As far as the power goes the LA has more than enough power to pull the LT-40 around the sky!!!

Ken

I can understand that, but mine was quite easy to tune up straight out of the box, I have had no problems with the LA, personally I am glad I did not have the AX on my trainer when I first started flying (i had the evo TPS), it has some kick to it I noticed, I love the engine however and it is a great engine.

One more vote for the AX. The thing about the LA is you will never use it in another plane, unless you like small planes. The AX has TONS more power than the LA and it's good power for a second and perhaps a third plane.

They are having an airshow at my local club and I am going to check them out tommorow. They might even have a plane that they are selling that I can pick up for a reasonable price. If not I will probally get the sig LT-40 online. Thanks

Madrigger,
Seeing as how everyone is on the 2-stroke waggon I put in some for the 4-strokers. Having a four stroke does not mean you will have to go and get a degree in engineering. They are different thats all. Look at it this way if you have to learn about a 2 Strk or a 4 Strk what's the difference? You still have to learn right? I'll take that a step further, GENERALLY SPEAKING (so don't send me messages boys) for all intensive purposes: 2 Strk guys don't know about 4 Strks, and vice versa.

It all boils down to what you think you are. If you like the speed go with the 2 Strk, if you like the big stuff or warbirds then go with the 4 Strk. Catch my drift?

Finally just to make this as confusing as possible if you think your gonna be a "Pack Rat" like the rest of us and intend on accumulating WAAAAAAAAAAAAY TOO much gear then it really dosen't matter, you'll end up with both anyway!

I am familiar already with the 2 stroke because I have a t-maxx truck and I have a couple of nitro boats, so it probally will be easier for me to do the 2 stroke. But you are right, once I learn to fly I will probally end up with both. I am the type that likes the big toys.
Thanks for the info.

Yup... the .46 AX starts right out of the box with only minor tuning needed.

The LA, well that bleed valve can be a nightmare... I have a .46 that runs too rich on the low end and I've already drilled the bleed hole as much as I'm going to...

I simply can't fully tune this engine, but that's better than ruining it altogether.

My .46LA is doing a wonderful job in a .30 sized Extra 300 plane. It was anemic in my .40 Spacewalker II.

The AX is definitely a good "beginners" engine, in that you will spend very little time hacking away at getting it right, yet it will still produce plenty of power.

The sad truth of it is that a four stroke is an investment risk in a trainer. There's a very good chance you'll plant it and a two stroke is less of a loss if it's a hard plant.

A for stroke is a worse choice for a second plane, because you're even more likely to crash your second plane. That's when you start to think you're good and try the more radical maneuvers.

Put one in your third plane.

And when did the "industry" start calling glow fuel "nitro". I see that frequently anymore. That's like calling everyone on a baseball team "pitchers". There's zero to 15% or so in avaition glow fuel, so it must have leaked in from the R/C car segment. It's methyl alcohol, castor oil and then a bit of nitromethane as an afterthought. In a trainer you might as well use the fuel that has none. More nitromethane in a trainer just makes it harder to fly level at full throttle. Speed = climb with flat bottom wings.

Here's a vote for both camps, love my 40LA for its simplicity and its ability to drag my trainer around the air, but I love my ASP52FS for its ability to get the bloody thing off the ground...

I have a .46 AX in my Avistar. When I first flew it, the guys at my club asked me if I accidentally put a rocket in it instead of an engine.

Super easy to tune and run. Just ordered everything for my second plane, a Sig Four Star 60 kit and I'm putting a .61FX in it. On my third plane, I'll probably go 4 stroke.

Another vote for the AX. Rock solid does not even begin to describe this engine let alone it's ability to take a wide range of props and makes a great engine for the second 40 size plane.

Let me put another turn in this road. I have an OS 46AX and like the engine. Also have plenty of four strokes and know that once they are tuned they pretty much stay tuned! Not that difficult at all specially with experienced help around. Don't know what your finances are but am betting that not one of us will disagree that a Thunder Tiger Pro 46 wouldn't be a good choice and for less money than the OS. They will run right with the OS on any day of the week for less money.
If you are planning on staying in the sport then a 4-stroke may be the ticket. They are great engines and sound more scale-like. They are wonderful on Cubs as well as 3D stuff. If you think you want a hot performer then the OS or the Thunder Tiger would be the ticket.

Ken
I know what your saying for his application but the gassers have gone 4 stroke too

http://www.rcshowcase.com/html/RCS/rcs50vt.html

A very under appreciated engine for it's size wouldn't you say

I agree; lets try to eliminate the term nitro. It obviously confused this newcomer. Stick to four stroke and 2stroke glow or gas engines for gasoline.

If you are in the "Learning Phase" of this fabulous "Hobby", Learn as cheaply as you can !!
You WILL CRASH ![X(] So, go with Cheap/ Expenable hardware. The LA engine is fine while you are learning. Progress to the 4 Strokers.... when you progress !!
For what my 50 yrs.experience in the Hobby has taught me !
Good Luck on your decision !
Ugo

Hi there,

In my opinion a good 2stroke is good enough. The 4strokes though are better performing in the torque factor. To make it easier forthe beginers Torque is present in all the aspect of rpm when you use the 4stroke. That is giving you better handling characteristics for your plane when you land and definately when you take off. Now in the 2stroke the torque is sudden and there is a lack of torque in low rpm This may give headaches for the beginner.... the hit of the sudden torque in high rpm is many times fatal for your plane esspecially if you try to abort lets say a landing. Also the 4strokes can take bigger propellers. It's for you to decide. Anyhow both engines keep modellers fly....
Cheers
Johnnie

I know this thread is a month old, but perhaps the next beginner will read this thread, so.....

Join a club first.

Then, you will meet your club instructors who might already have some trainers and buddy box set-ups. I'd recommend the newcomer not buy anything until you get the "blessings" of an experienced mentor. Use what they recommend and are comfortable with.

The beginner will likely save plenty of ca$h which could have gone into a nice computer radio or a better-suited airframe.

Most beginners throw money at the hobby (out of their enthusiasm) then find themselves a few months later trying to sell some (or all) of the stuff they just bought so they can fund those things they should have bought in the first place! You'll probably find that someone will be selling a Nextar, Avistar, or similar trainer as they progress. Why spend two or three hundred (or more with field gear, etc.) when you might buy a fella's complete set-up for $150 or less!!!

In response to your initial question, I guess I'm the exception to some unwritten "rules" ...I have always found 4 stroke motors more desirable to run: Low-end needle adjustments are easy; They sound like an airplane should, to me; Don't require frequent adjustments, Etc. However I strongly urge people to tune them using a tach since it is much harder to drop a few hundred RPMs "by ear" with a 4S versus a 2S.

Don't get bogged down in the minutia of terminology (nitro vs glow, etc.) that'll all come to you with exposure.

Good luck and have fun...but be safe!

If you buy a 4S, buy a tach at the same time because trying to tune by ear isn't going to cut it! If you go the 2S route go with a 46 size and don't worry about it. The extra power will be very handy if the grass starts getting long. I have watched LT40s trying to get off the ground in long wet grass with 40LA engines on them, barely made it! The LT40s with the OS46 AX or FX engines din't have too much trouble.

I have a Thunder Tiger .46 Pro on my LT-40 (which I'm currently training on) and it is great. Starts without difficulty, runs with the best of them. I picked up a Hangar 9 Pulse and also put a TT .46 Pro on it.

From cost to performance I don't think they can be beat.

Good luck.

I decided to go with a alpha .60 w/ a O.S. .61 and I bought a JR 7202 radio. I think it will be a good plane for me. I have it put together but haven't flown it yet. I am waiting on my membership to AMA to come in.

Thanks, Mike