New plane for small engine?
 

Please pardon the redundancy of this thread. I am dove-tailing a previous thread which has a similar theme: http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_4127794/tm.htm

I have an OS .46 LA that has been sitting in a box in my garage for almost 2 years. It has watched 5 other engines come to the shelf and leave while it waits patiently to be installed.

What would be a good plane to put this thing in. I need to do something with it, or just sell it. It's Brand new and perfect, aside from the fact that it's an LA, (bushing engine). I do not want to put it in a .40 size plane. I think I need something a bit smaller, but I will wait to hear the opinions of others on this matter.

Thanks,

Mark

RE: New plane for small engine?
 

To answer that, you need to ask yourself what type of flying you like to do. If your into 3D, I might consider a profile plane such as a Katana or a Mojo. If you want speed mabe a Q-500 (although it will be quick mut not fast) It just depends.

RE: New plane for small engine?
 

Well,

I guess I should tell you what I want to do with it, but I was thinking that I may be limited to just a few models with that size engine. I am a rank beginner. I want to do 3D someday, but I am content with continuing to perfect my basic skills for now. I just want a good durable plane for this little engine. I prefer something that I can fly slowly and really practice feeding in inputs without the need to correct immediately to avoid crashing, so a light airframe would be preferable. someone mentioned the Tower Uproar... I dunno, all input is appreciated.

I have like 9 standard servos that are unused. I was going to use use them as throttle servos in 9 planes, but why not use that little engine and 4 of them in a small plane?

Thanks,

Mark

RE: New plane for small engine?
 

If you want something light that you can fly slowly, and practice your stick inputs with. Really look at a Twist. It is a 40 size plane, and the .46LA is the smallest engine I would ever put on the plane, but like I said in the other thread, I really like it so far. Have about 10 flights on it, with a 11x6 prop on it. You will be able to fly it really slowly, you may not be able to hang off of the prop like you could with a bigger engine, but my LA flys my Twist just fine.

RE: New plane for small engine?
 

I've had alot of stick time in the past with a Sig Four Star 40 and it flys like a good second plane. It will land like a trainer and is very forgiving but it will teach you the next step into aerobatics. Seems to me that that engine will do good in it. I have run OS 40FPs and Super Tiger 45ABC in mine and both had plenty of power. The kit has always been cheep (Im not sure what it goes for now), but ive always believed that in order to get past a certain level of flying you have to build your own, you'll learn alot more and have a greater respect for the sport. Just as brocja01 said the Twist does fly well to but it is a more 3D capable plane. Either of these planes don't need monster servos the standards should do fine.

RE: New plane for small engine?
 

I have seen the 40LA & 46LA used in planes that would typically have the 25FX or 32SX installed. The LAs are similar in weight to the small ball bearing engines. They are physically bigger though so planes with cowls might have issues.

I didn't know if you'd be more interested in an ARF or a kit but here are a few potential ARFs

Modeltech Magic 3D (definitely light enough for the LA, and no cowl)
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&I=LXBGB0&P=0
Phoenix Sonic 25 Low Wing (no cowl)
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&I=LXEDN7&P=0
Tower Hobbies Uproar 40 (no cowl)
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&I=LXGPG8&P=0
Thunder Tiger Lazy Tiger P-51 (looks like partial cowl?)
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&I=LXAVN4&P=0

These have cowls
Global ME109
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&I=LXK421&P=0
Modeltech Extra 300
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&I=LXRF43&P=0
Global Tequila Sunrise
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&I=LXK422&P=0

RE: New plane for small engine?
 

Saying the 25 size just brought to mind the Lanier Extra 3.25 (kit) it was a blast with a os 25fsr so an la 46 should work it is an advanced plane though. Lanier does have a profile twister in this size range (kit)

RE: New plane for small engine?
 

ICE,

Thanks for your post, but just to clarify, I built 2 kits and an ARF years ago, but was afraid to fly them. I solo'd last November and have since burned 10 gallons of glow fuel, mostly in a H-9 Super Stick .40 (I do not recommend this ARF, but it's great for a beginner like me). I also have a Kadet Senior with a Magnum .91 (flies great, BTW with that engine and a 14x8 APC). I have just finished a UCD .46 with a Saito FA 82a (maiden after the weather clears). I am beginning a SIG Mayhem for my Saito 125a. I will be 'building' another ARF concurrently, (Old H-9 cessna 182 skylane with an OS 70 surpassII or a saito 70, or... not sure yet).

I just have this little .46 LA sitting around and I would like to put it in a small ARF that would help me continue to learn basics and give me the ability to carry it around a bit more easily. I have the engine and a bunch of servos sitting around, so why not, I guess.

I also have a few electric planes, but I am just a glow/gas guy at heart I guess. I intend to use the electrics on days I cannot get to the field, (I work on large farms and ranches all over southern CA as a consultant).

Thank you all for your help so far. I have relied heavily upon this forum for advice and input since I began this endeavor, and I have benefited greatly from your expertise.

Keep the suggestions coming,

Mark

RE: New plane for small engine?
 

Carellh,

I have seen people do incredible things with the magic and the uproar...do you think a beginner could fly these?

RE: New plane for small engine?
 

Considering his revised criteria "I prefer something that I can fly slowly and really practice feeding in inputs without the need to correct immediately to avoid crashing...", I'd say the best bet from your list is the Lazy Tiger P-51 and maybe the Sonic. While it's possible to fly the Uproar slowly, it's got no tendency to correct itself. I've got the MT Extra, and it's definitely not a slow flier. I've heard the same about the ME109 and enough people warned me about the Tequila's bad habits (tendency to snap at unexpected times) that I decided on the MT Extra instead.

RE: New plane for small engine?
 

I have the Tequila Sunrise, W/ OS.25 FX. I haven't flown it yet, but I do believe the 46 will fit on it even with the cowl. However like Chuck said, I don't think it's gonna be the forgiving slow flying type plane you're looking for. In fact I'm counting on it being a little speed demon![X(]

RE: New plane for small engine?
 

HEHE,

Well, I want to put that little engine in something. I would prefer to get something that will help me learn, I'm just sick of looking at it. That engine was intended for a trainer, but having crashed my trainer, I don't want to replace it with another trainer. I surely did not realize that there were so many smaller planes to choose from.

I still have 2 TT .40 engines lying around too. Perhaps I can try 2 small planes and use the extra TT .40 for parts (they are OLD engines).

I like the looks of the magic and the uproar, but I dun think I can fly em yet. For the price, I could try and see what happens. I'm just risking the cost of the plane as I already have the rest.

I dunno...just an idea. It's raining here so no flying and lots of paperwork to catch-up on. I gotta earn those hobby pennies so I can continue to buy more planes than I can fly.:D:D:D

Thanks Mark,

Mark

RE: New plane for small engine?
 

If I were you, the plane for me would be the 4*40. The LA46 is plenty of engine for it as long as you build it light, and Sig kits are easy to build light, yet strong. Another option might be the Mid-Star 40. I've got a ST GS40 in mine, and it really goes. Glen

RE: New plane for small engine?
 

You're probably right. I didn't read well enough. I saw the part about "have burned 10 gallons of fuel in a Super Stick 40" and went off on a tangent of trying to find anything that might be light enough for the 46LA to provide spirited performance.

RE: New plane for small engine?
 

There are no 'revisions' here.

I just have an engine lying around and I would like to put it in a plane that will help me improve my flying. I said 'slow' because I don't want a little racer, I want to learn to fly better. If you read my posts, you will find that I have been very descriptive in terms of my limited experience and my building/flying ability.

Yes, I have burned 10 gallons of fuel since I started. I have been practicing basic maneuvers for months, almost every weekday. I am interested in bieng a proficient RC flyer, and someday an instructor so I can give the gift of this fine hobby to others like me. I am not some kid who wants the coolest, fastest plane out there regardless of my abilities. My budget, while not unlimited, is sufficient to fund any project that my skill level will allow.

Thank you all for your suggestions. I still am unsure which plane to choose for this little engine, but I have not 'revised' any of my criteria. I am just a beginning RC flyer seeking the advice of those more experienced.

I do not know wether I am able fly a more 'spirited' plane yet or not, but I can tell you I will be.

Thanks,

Mark

RE: New plane for small engine?
 

I have a Great Planes .40 Piper Cub with a .46 LA with a Pitts muffler. I dont see whats this whole idea about the LA's being weak, because if properly tuned and broken-in, it will give out gobs of power. I fly my 76 in. Cub at around 1/4-1/3 throttle, and can get almost a half-hour of flying with a 12 oz. tank. Since you mentioned a slow-flying plane, the Cub is great, yet it can still teach you new things. If anything, you mentioned you might want to get into 3D, and the use of rudder is mandatory in 3D. The Cub needs you to use rudder a lot, so that will help you learn. Also, it can improve your taildragger landing and take-off skills. Add to that that it can be afun airplane to throw into a loop or wing-over, and you have a pretty sweet combo....
I'm having a blast with mine. ;)

Here it is in an L-4 Grasshopper military scheme....those D-Day stripes really help the visibility on landing when its in front of some trees! :) It was my second plane, and the build was a cinch too! ;)

RE: New plane for small engine?
 

Very nice.

I like the idea of a cub. I can use foamies for 3D practice later on, (I have a few, just not really an electrics nut yet). I currently only use my rudder for crosswind landings and those sideways 'nose-overs', (whatever they're called). Occasionally I will try a knife-edge, but the 'pitch coupling ' , (or is it 'roll coupling'?), brings my plane around toward the pits and ...I get nervous when my plane is coming toward the pits, even when it's high and far away, (beginner nerves).

I like the pitts style muffler idea....they sound better. Before today, I thought I had a useless engine or a pricey paperweight. It's good to know that I can put it to use.