In reading another post I got inspired to start this poll. Basically it's targeted at the new guys. When I bought my Nexstar trainer, I paid extra for an AX engine, thinking it would be a great engine to use in my second plane, too.

When the time came, I decided I wanted to keep the Nexstar flight ready and was ready to buy a new engine and a new plane. Had I known this, I probably would not have chosen the most expensive .46 engine at Tower Hobbies. That engine is now not being used at all as it's on a plane that's not my first choice to fly.

Of course things happen and plans change (like I crashed my Nexstar and cancelled my second engine order), but it seem to me that most people leave the engine in their trainer, get a new plane, engine, and receiver, and have 2 planes to fly.

So here's a poll to help the new guys decide if they want to go the inexpensive route on their trainer (where they wouldn't even know what an over/under powered plane feels like!) or spend the extra beans and get something to use on plane #2 also. Again, things change so new guys take a look and see how many of us ended up buying another engine for that next plane.

How does a poll help? Other people's choices shouldn't dictate an individual's choices.

Because A poll is fun!![8D] I don't know how to vote on this one Joe. Just because I'm not new doesn't mean I can't remember what I did but there are some good/better choices today. I had extra engines pretty quick but they also found homes pretty quick too. I build A lot more then fly, always have. One of my present students now has three engines and back down to one plane, make that four engines, I forgot one of them. One of my older students has A new Saito 100 in his new Funtana {bought and assembled last year, never flown} A .55 AX, dead Nexstar!! Now I gave him A nice 90 inch Decathlon {know how much you like them} with A brand new ST 2300 in it. The .55 AX is A good choice of engines, small enough for A 40 size trainer and big enough for A 60 size high wing something, even A small Decathlon!! See the problem?? Sort of the chicken and egg thing. I have boxes of two strokes I don't/haven't used in A very long time but I never know when I'm going to need one. I even have some new gassers under my bench waiting on A new home.
Gene

My first 3 planes were trainers and the same engine was on all 3. My unofficial 'second plane' (first non-trainer anyway) had a different engine and the trainer was still flying at the time.

I think having your trainer, or other plane, ready to fly is a very good thing no matter how much or how little the engine and electronics cost. I currently have 3 planes ready to fly. Two of them have four stroke engines, so there is a bit of money tied up in stuff that may not go out very often.

You can always buy a cheaper engine and put it on the trainer; and move the AX to a more advanced model.

Well, if the airplane is in flight condition don’t scrap it, sometimes the better airplane need repairs, what are you gonna fly then?
Only if its not the only airplane you have.

Like in my post, there are more things to try with a trainer first.

Said to me once: “in order to fly every week end you need to have three planes�.
One flying, second in repairs, third you are building.

And if you buy a new motor, then better buy something bigger like 55 AX.
What’s the point of having two of the same motors...

55 AX would fit in much better in more aggressive 40 size airplanes.

however a sane person wouldn’t listen to my advice, I have 5 planes and 4 motors, 2x 46 AX, 46 LA, 75AX.

Alex

I kept my trainer intact, partly because it was a Christmas gift that got me into this great hobby almost two years ago, and also because I still like to fly it sometimes.

I have about 7-8 flyable planes right now, and I right now have two engines that need planes (from retired/failed SPADs).

You have to get a second engine b/c you have to keep that trainer going. You are never too good to stop learning how to fly. There is always something new you can do with a plane, especially when you finish training. You know the limits of that trainer and now would be the time to stretch those limitations and do new things in the air instead of boring holes in the sky. I have a few engines sitting and waiting to go into a new plane. I have a 40 LA Blue, 46 Magnum, and a 0S 40 waiting for that next plane I steal at a swap meet or get from someone at the field. I don't think you can have enough engines b/c you can never have enough airplanes. IMHO

this flight season is almost over, when do you intend to fly this new motor?

WHAT !?!?!?!?!?! The season isn't anywhere near over. It's time to put the skis on and/or pull out the snow blowers for the runway. LOL flight season almost over LOL (just poking fun at you Alex) but seriously we fly all year round at our field.

aha, so its from you northerns we are getting this nasty northern cold wind, you are blowing it at us to the north east...

I got a new engine for my 2nd airplane...and kept the trainer ready to fly, for back-up just in case. Shortly after, I sold the trainer w/ engine to fund my 3rd airplane/engine.[8D]

I put aside my trainer for a different reason, It used to flip over even standing on the runway when a wind gust not so strong blew.
I had to fix it so many times because of this, people were yelling at me get a low wing airplane so we wont see this taxing crushes…
One time it almost flipped into a jet, wasn’t funny.

My vote was for reuse old engine while still having trainer. The reason why is because I got a 46AX which was transferred over to my Four Star(which I had an unfortunate over-g incident and the wind snapped off) and then I moved it over to my third plane, the Pacific Knockabout. Now that I have got bored of that plane the engine is now on my Twist .40. As you can see the engine works fine for all my applications, so call me a cheap ******* if you want but the "if it ain't broke don't fix it(or replace it in this matter) stands for me. So I guess it all depends on how deep your wallet goes, as for me my planes get hand-me-down engines. But I'll definitely be getting a Saito 4 stroke for my Edge 540 later down the road. So all-in-all a good lasting engine can get you a long ways versus a throw away engine that will wear quicker.

I want/ need to keep as many planes ready as possible, so I begged/ borrowed (thank you) and bought cheap engines to keep a second and or third plane, A few weks ago I bought a used but in good shape os 40 for $20, when I get rich or when my kids leave the house (about 20 years) then I will buy only new engines, until that time I will buy any deals that I can get.

Jon

Wow I got bleeped for saying cheap "fatherless son". Sorry[]

Hey gaRCField, I'm lurking around, eating popcorn and sipping a beer to see the results of this....

I still have my first trainer all flight ready. The good old NexSTAR converted to a taildragger and dihedryl removed. I just don't have the heart to gut and retire any of my planes. I just keep buying new gear for each new plane. 20 flight ready planes now. Help me with this sick addiction!!!!

Curt

take the 46ax and put it on your new bird, and then buy a super tigre 40-45 great reliable engines and put it on the trainer for a back up plane with a ballsy engine on it as well

See what I do for my friends? And free admission, too

I hope it's helpful.

One thing I do not have is a shortage of engines,,,,I like engines.

OK, so looks like the end has come to the poll? Thank God for free admission, I need to make a beer run...

Interesting results and comments... Keep trainer flyable and move on to next setup. Seems to be a reoccurring theme here.