As I understand the rule(s) governing over the engine restrictions in SPA in particular using tuned pipes, weren’t most if not all of these planes being flown with pipes in their respective time frame? Planes like the Bootlegger, Arrow and a few others were being flown back in their day with RE engines and pipes, so why not now? I’m new to the game of SPA so I have much to learn and tons of questions to ask.

I think that the rule was put there to help keep the cost down for new folks to the hobby. You will find that at most contests they are waiving the restrictions.


Gary

Hmm. What would stink is if I setup a bird to fly with a piped 61 with the hopes that “they” waive the restriction, drive 10hrs to a contest only to be told, “sorry no pipes allowed”. I understand the cost issue but I guarantee you most of the folks flying pattern aren’t flying inexpensive equipment.

Which is sort of why something like the SPA happened, some people just wanted to put a sport engine into a classic airframe with fixed gear and just fly it without the fiddling.

No pipes, no retracts, no problems But some other people aren't happy with that??

My first powered plane was a Curare I built in 1990. It had a ASP .75, fixed gear and was fantastic for sport flying and I understand the desire to build something like that "properly" as I've thought about it many times over the years.