Hi folks-
I am certain this question is 'uninformed', but I can't seem to get good comparative information.

My next plane will be a gasser, and I would appreciate insights on brands.

Most of my club friends love DA, and some have had good luck with XYZ as well. What about the Fuji Imvac carried by Tower, or Evolutions?

Comparative benefits of EI vs magneto (I understand the starting ease advantage, and battery weight disadvantage of EI) ignition would be appreciated as well.

Finally, given the weight penalty of gas vs nitro, what is the practical 'small end' for gas? 20cc? 34cc?

Thanks in advance

It has always been a belief of mine that a plane smaller the 80" wing span would have a wing load to high to fly good, But there have been a lot of good post with people flying 72" span planes with 26cc gas engines and say they fly fine. One thing is the lighter planes being made now can carry a little extra engine weight.

A engine from 20cc to 30cc will only be a few ozs different in weight, Unless it is some of the glow to gas conversions.

Milton

The big advantage to EI over mag engines is weight, ease of starting, and smoothness. The Fugi, Zenoah and other mag engines generally are quite heavy for their displacement and the larger sizes really dance around at low RPM. There are advantages as you do not have an extra battery to maintain and a magneto rarely goes bad.

At this time there are lots and lots of choices at very attractive prices. Best to read as much as you can and decide for yourself as to which brand suits your budget. If budget is not an issue, then it is hard to beat a DA or 3W or my personal favorite a Taurus. I had an Evolution 45 that was great for the size and power, but it too, was kind of pricey. As stated earlier, some of the smaller planes may do OK with a small gas engine althought you may have part of the engine sticking out of the cowl. (That may or may not bother you). If it is an aerobatic plane you wish, then a good rule of thumb is an 80" wingspan is good for about a 50cc (3.2) engine.

I think a good "intro" gas engine is the Brison/FPE/Taurus 3.2.

I think a good "intro" gas airframe is any of the Wildhare 50cc airframes.



For the budget minded person.

The Blackhorse Cap 232 1.80 for $199 shipped from Hobby People.

http://www.hobbypeople.net/gallery/159524.asp

The DL50 engine for $370 shipped from Valley View RC.

http://www.valleyviewrc.com

Thanks folks
Very helpful
Do you have a favorite on line vendor, or do you support your local hobby shop?

Both,... But also depends on the current price of gasoline

You may also consider getting into has "conversion" where you take engines from weed wackers,chainsaws and stuff like that and using them for RC use. Its alot of fun and ALOT cheaper. Just something to think about......

Hi friend, I fly a 73ins high wing model, it comes out at 10lbs and i have a zenoha 20cc up front and lots of power, to much in fact . A video can be seen at glens models. That is www.glens models .com there are 2 vids one the 20cc and one 46cc or 45 not sure on that one. But the 20cc performance is fantstic HAPPY LANDINGS. Bill.