dash8man

Hi,

I recently purchased the SIG LT-40 Trainer kit along with an O.S. 46 LA engine. I know that the LT-40 is rated as a great beginners plane but I'm hearing different opinions about the quality and reliabilty of the O.S. 46LA engine. I'm just starting out in this hobby, so my question is whether my choice in an engine was correct? I know that the 46FX is a better, more powerful motor but is it really necessary and worth the extra $50.00 Can. for a first time Trainer? Thanks in advance. Cheers.

Bill.

Rodney

There is nothing wrong with the LA engine. True, it doesn't have the power of the FX but you don't need it for that plane. Properly tuned, the LA is a very dependable, long lasting, easy starting engine that does well for the beginner. It will never win any speed contests or weight lifting contests but; it will give you many hours of dependable and honest fun.

MD-11 pilot

Congrats on joining the hobby Bill.
The LT-40 really is a wonderful first time trainer. My son and I both learned on one. It's very stable and will fly well on a variety of engines. The LA engine would not be my first choice because of the lower power. The LT-40 is a big 40 size plane -- almost 60 size actually. If you can trade your engine in for the FX, I'd recommend it. If not, don't worry about it. It will fly on the LA, just without much spirit. Here in Colorado, we're flying at almost 7000 feet and the density altitude becomes a real problem - especially on hot days. The LA engine would probably become a liability under those conditions. I'm not sure what the altitude is in Toronto but I'm thinking you're not much higher than a few hundred feet. Have fun!!

dash8man

Thanks for the advice Rodney. Didn't think that my Hobby shop would recommend it to me if they thought that it couldn't do the job easily and reliably.

Bill.

Tattoo

The LA is very low in power range, but it is also very lightweight, so it will make up some there. It's also easy to start and very reliable...but loves to develope leaks. Seal the carb, muffler and back plate with red silicon (RTV) and check the head and muffler screws after every flight for about the first hour of run time. taken care of, it will fly the LT-40 fantastically for many many hours.

dash8man

Appears to be a love it or hate it engine. I'm going to stick with it though.

Bill.

CP140

I had an 46LA on my LT40. At our field, you have to make a climbing turn immediately after take-off to get up over the trees... (in the picture I've attached you can just see the runway in the centre of the picture under the shadows of the trees)... the 46LA made take-offs a little more "interesting" than was really wanted! The 46FX made things a lttle more comfortable... I'm not knocking the LA mind you..I've still got it(on a smaller plane)... it just wasn't quite enough motor given the field/airplane/my skill level combination.

crashngo

My Feedback: (4)

Here's my take on one, has the O.S. 46LA, just about done with it. Jer

Crashem

crashngo

One thing I have noticed in general here at RCU and at the field is that most models are over powered and most modelers seem to have the opinion that if the model recommends a .46 the a .61 is better

I heard it myself last year over and over because I didn't jam the throtle foward and take of in 20 ft at a 75 degree angle.

Your plane will be fine with a la46 not as fast or capable of as much vertical but it is a trainer after all.

bulletbob

Don't even hesitate to use the 46LA in your LT. The FX has more power for sure but as a trainer you will only use about half throttle most of the time anyway. I built the LT40 to learn on and have flown it with the 46Fx, 46 LA and .32FX and was very happy with all three (I changed after repairing damage). Enjoy

nukes

myself, I don't like OS. Yes I said it, strike me down. I don't like it. They are not worth the extra money to me FX or LA. You can get For the same price I would rather have a thunder tiger. Put a can or Mac muffler on it and woosh.

Now that I have spoken against the prince of engines, I expect I am gonna get it now. For training your LA should be fine. Your not gonna want to zip around at first anyway. Your next engine you get , wahtever it is make sure it is a bb engine.

dash8man

Thanks for the positive feedback on the 46LA engine. I won't hesitate to install it in my LT-40.
Crashngo, I like the looks of your LT-40. Nice pic. Great colour scheme that I may have to copy! Cheers.

Bill..

Fastsky

The 46LA will be fine. I would say that the 40LA is too small but the 46 will work just fine. Having said that, if the hobby shop will let you return the engine and you can afford it, I would go for the 46FX. The difference in power is substantial and really helps. Like when the grass hasn't been cut in 2 weeks or a big wind comes up and you need the power to make it back to the runway. I ran a 40fx ON my LT40 and it was barely enough if the grass was getting tall.

dash8man

Hey Nukes, everyone is entitled to their own opinion! Don't sweat it. If I make it thru the training stages to another aircraft, I'll definitely upgrade to a ball bearing engine. For training though, I that the 46LA will be just fine. Wonder how it will work after being planted nose first into the ground a couple of times! Cheers.

dash8man

Thanks for the response Fastsky. Well, my Club president states that the LA engine will be great on my Trainer so who am I to question his expertise! LOL. I might have upgraded to the 46FX before his input but I probably won't now.

WYDAH

Hi Bill,

I have a LT40 using the OS .46LA engine. I fly off grass and use an 11x5 prop and it pulls it around just fine. My plane weighs in at 7.5lbs. I did have to add about 6 or 8 oz of lead on the firewall to get the balance right and that was after putting battery and receiver against the firewall under the tank. So it seems to build a bit tail heavy when using the LA engine.
Take a look at my Gallery button below for a few pics. You should have no problems with this plane/engine combo.

Rgds,
-Fitz.

nukes

dash8man,

Don't worry you will make it to your next plane with no problem. However I will send you something interesting in a private message, good luck and great flying.

dash8man

Great looking LT-40 Fitz! Like the colour scheme a lot. How's the yellow for visibility when flying?

Bill.

WYDAH

Hi Bill,

The Yellow is easy to see, however the bottom checkers are only 1/2" squares and they tend to look like a dull yellow grey when it is up in the air more the 30' or so. The checker pattern is so small it just all kinda blends together when at any sort of altitude and moving along at a good clip. It does look nice when doing slow fly-bys...

-Fitz.

dash8man

Wondering if its best to just do the bottom wing in a different color than the top for better orientation. Thought the checker pattern would be a good way to go. Still a nice looking plane Fitz.

Bill.

DSJBEAN

My Feedback: (1)

If you're considering swwapping the engine why not go with a Thunder Tiger Pro 46. They can be had for about $76.00. Very relieanble and in my opinion every bit as good if not better than an OS. I put a 40 Fx on my son's LT40 and it flies it very well. Only reason I went with that though was I won it at our club meeting. Otherwise it would have been the TT Pro.

dash8man

Thanks for your thoughts Doug.
I do find it hard to believe that a company like O.S. would manufacture a substandrd engine. What do the gain by it? A lousy reputation? Who wants that. I'm sure that their goal was an affordable, quality engine for the guy/girl just starting out in this hobby.