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What engine (in your opinion) is the best engine for a newbie purchasing a .40 sized trainer?

Jerry

Go with OS. You won't be dissapointed.

the LA series was designed for first time fliers. they are durable, last, and are easy to work with. And they're blue!! But they are a bushing engine. That's why they are usually a few $$ cheaper.

The FX is the next level up. Save this one for your next plane. It's basically the same engine, but with ball bearings instead of bushings. So, it runs a bit better, a little highter output, and will last longer (with proper care and service!)

I spent a month hanging out at the field early in the Spring (and bumming flights whenever I could). I saw people have a lot of trouble with MDS, and TT engines. So I sprang for an OS FX .46. Yes, it was more expensive, but it always starts and has only deadsticked twice, both times after propellor breaking minor crashes.

Anyway, IF you can afford the extra $$$ it may prove cheaper in the long run that one of the others.

One thing I've found in my limited time in this hobby is that going cheaper can end up being lots more expensive.

GB

That old saying: You get what you pay for alwasy holds true, not matter what the purchace.

For beginners, i say OS, becasue they are reliable, and just about everyone hasd owned one. They are super-common.. So getting help is usually pretty good.

I own a few MDS, and I think they are great engines. yeah, they typically need a bit of tuning to get them up to speed, but that also comes with 'learning'. You eventually get teh knack for tuning..

If you really think about it, every one has throuble with their engines (all makes!) now and then. Humidity, tempurature, altitude all play their little part to 'fustrate' us.

My first engine os 40 LA > My second and still the best engine I own after 2 years of flying is an OS 46 FX a truly great engine that has given me many hours of enjoyment. Once broken in correctly I have only had to adjust the carb. one time this year. The FX uses a better carb than the LA which has an air bleed carb. I hope this helps, Paul.

The Thunder Tiger Pro series is an unbelievable value...I have 5 of them, 4 Pro .46's and 1 Pro .40. They take a little longer to break in, and proper break-in is important, but once they're broken in, they run beautifully. Mine just seem to get stronger and stronger, and start right up every time. They're probably not quite as beginner-friendly as an OS FX engine, but maybe when you have some experience under your belt, it might be worth a try to get one. I have a flying buddy that swears by them also. They also have a 3 year warranty. The Pro .46 can be found for $75 at Tower Hobbies.

I like the TT Pro series and the Magnum XL series. The extra $5 or so to get a .46 instead of a .40 is usually a good idea, as it gives you the ability to pull your second plane through aerobatics better.

I've found very little difference in the O.S. FX and the TT Pro series as far as power, ease of adjustment and reliability.

It takes a LONG time for me to determing engine longevity. I've got a .25 from the mid 1980's which has logged at least 1000 flights (thats about 300 to 400 hours of operation) and still gives more power than a .40 LA. My dead engines broke on impact... not from wearing out.

I'll have to go along with Thunder Tiger. I have 2 - Pro46's, a GP42, and a GP40. All of them were relatively easy to break in following the instructions and only get better with time. The one thing I have found is that the Pro46's start easier by flip in reverse, usually on the first flip. In my opinion, there is no better value on the market.

I think you should go with the O.S. .46 FX. It is very reliable. I have never had a deadstick with it. If you fly off a grass runway you will definatly need the .46. For either type of runway, get the O.S. .46 FX. I use 10% nitro in my fuel. The engine always starts right u. It miht take a little longer when it hasn't been run for a few weeks. I think this is a great engine.

I would have to cast what is becoming a minority vote for the OS 46 LA. It offers 1.2 hp compared to 1.0 for the .40 LA and weighs about 11 oz with muffler compared to only .1 oz lighter for the .40 LA.

The .40 FX puts out 1.36 hp but weighs about 16.5 oz with the muffler and costs about twice as much as a .40 LA. The .46 FX puts out 1.62 hp but again weighs around 16.5 oz and again costs about twice the price of a .46 LA.

I have used both the LA series and earlier FP series with no problems and I live in SD with extremes of both heat and cold. They are simple, reliable, easy to maintain engines. The airbleed carb does need some initial adjustment but it's easy to do and well covered in the manual that comes with the airplane.

I would recommend the .46 LA for a beginner as it is lighter and perhaps better suited to the .25-.40 class trainers it will be used in. In many cases the additional weight of the FX engine may require ballast in the tail to maintain the CG which essentially increases the weight difference between the engines by another 30-50% depending on the moment arms involved and additional weight is normally something to avoid on a trainer.

It is also less painful when you lawn dart an LA engine compared to an FX engine, so I'd buy an .46 LA and then sell it with your trainer and 4 Ch radio when you move up to something else. That would be a far better time to consider an FX series engine which depending on your interests may not even be in the 40-46 class.

In either case, buy a .46 rather than a .40 as you'll get more hp for the same basic engine weight.