Byron Glasair/DLE 30
 

I am looking for information on whether or not it is enough engine to fly the Byron Glasair if I can keep it at about 17-19 pounds,
I am going to use it as my Sunday flyer with mild loops and rolls.
Any opinions?

I don't know anything about the Bryon Glasair, but I can tell you that a 30cc engine is going to be panting hard most of the time if it has to drag around an air frame that heavy. Not likely going to have much reserve power at all.

I'd be looking at the next size up, 50+cc's. If you're buying an engine for it anyway, they aren't that much more. Then, if the budget could swing it, a twin would probably work really well in a plane like that.

I have a saito 300 twin you think that might work?

The Saito might be an acceptable engine. About the same power as a Zenoah G-45. If in doubt, over power that plane and be on guard when you slow down for landing. It can be a handful. The Q52 was a common engine back in the day when the kit was new.

From what I recall the Byron Glassair was designed around the G38 and Quadra 41/42 engines . I saw a couple fly on the G38 and it was scale like but no not much reserve power . Now the DLE 30 out powers the G38 by a bunch so you can draw your own conclusions from that . I myself would go for the most power I could fit in the cowl and keep it scale looking maybe a DLE 35ra or a nice twin if it would fit .

I would caution the 30-35 engines available today are much lighter weight than any of the common engines when that plane was designed. Byron planes can be tail heavy anyway so I'd still be tempted to put a heavier (read that more power) engine up front rather than having to add dead weight for balance. Certainly the 30-35 engines will get in the air but I can't imagine the experience being a pleasant one. That is a fairly large airplane that can build heavy.

A 30cc engine is going to be struggling big time with a plane in the high teens, especially if you're looking for some semblance of sport flying. The 30's are just about done at 15 and 16lbs. I would say the Q41 and G38 aren't going to do much better.

Now if you're talking about a plane that's going to need weight to balance with a 30cc engine..... that would be all the excuse I would need to jump up into something maybe twice that size. That's me though.