Hi,
Has anyone got any experience with Picco engines... 45, 60, and 80 (and p-80). Information seems hard to come by on them. How do they compare to Rossi motors and what are the slide type carbs like that most of them come with. Any input would be appreciated.

Mark and Karen

Mark, Karen,

I have a Picco 10 cc FISE engine, similar to the bottom photo, but with a black anodized head.
I have not run it yet, but they say it makes power similar to Rossi and to OPS, on 11x7.5-11x8 props, with the included black pipe.

The carburettor is made by HB and has a black, plastic body, attached with a thin wall, split bushing to the crankcase.
Your engine has a metal unit.

Did they make different versions of this engine?

Hi,
We too have a 10cc with the black cylinder head but with the metal slide carb.... perhaps the black carb model is a newer version. We have yet to run any of the motors pictured ... the best way to find out how they go is to bolt one into something perhaps??

I have a Picco .40. Runs like a banshee! I would say go for it.

We have basically grown up with OS motors, and up until the last 12 months the Italian motors (apart from Super tigre) were pretty much unseen. We ran x-serie Super Tigres with impressive performance. BUT....we are now converted.... have started playing with Rossi motors (60's).... what have we been missing all these years. We are hoping the Picco motors will go as strong as the Rossi's. OS fit, finish, durability is great..... but they don' t go like these italian motors.
We plan to use the FISE Picco RC-80, in the very top photo, in an EMS Freestyle Adrenaline ARF and were kinda trying to work out if it were suitable before buying the plane .

Picco's are fine engines, and powerfull. I have had all of the models you have pictured, plus some .40's. I still have the Picco P-80 fan engine fitted with an RPM rod (no longer in production..) I just recently sold (2) NIB FISE Picco .60 and FISE Picco .80, all with Picco headers and Picco tuned pipes. One of the .60's had an HB carb, the other .60 and the .80 had slide carbs.

Do a search for Picco in the pattern Forum..seems like a couple of guys have put the .80 in a pattern plane to give it a little more power now that the 10cc rule no longer matters.

The Skyward engines sold in Canada are or were made by Picco.

Hi Again, and thanks guys for the information. "ChuckAuger".. the motor in the second photo is a P-80 and by its configuration we guess it would be a fan motor. It has a midrange mixture (adjustable spraybar assembly position) and top end (of course) but no idle adjustment, and is a barrel type carb. Is this motor suitable for prop use or is it suitable only for a fan.
Is there much difference in horsepower between the RC 80 and the RC60 or 65.?
Do Skyward engines have a website?? Any Piccos out there for Sale???

Wow...we followed up on the..... "Do a search for Picco in the pattern Forum..seems like a couple of guys have put the .80 in a pattern plane to give it a little more power now that the 10cc rule no longer matters. .....

They were talking about propellor choice 12x10, 13x9 !!!!
We are currently running a Rossi 60 on a 14x5 and figured that was overpropped.... was going to use the same prop on the RC80.... figured it should be swinging around 13500 - 14000 for an 80's style pattern motor that these picco's are. (14" APC according to APC's website should be run at maximum of around 13500 RPM for safety reasons)
Any comments???

Mark,

A 14x5 prop at 13,500 RPM requires 2.8 HP.
It would be a cool day in hell before your Rossi .60, or any other .60 glow engine you can buy, will do that.

The Rossi .65 with the pipe was claimed to spin a 12x10 (a bit heavier) at 12,000 RPM.
Yet it usually could not better 10,800.

High, unsubstantiated hopes will only get you very disappointed.

A prop will not necessarily spin at its manufacturer's maximum RPM, like most cars will not go to the maximum speed shown on their speedometer...

Check out [link=http://www.teampicco.com/]PICCO MICROMOTORI[/link]

They only produce car and boat engines these days (if their site is correct, that is)... I suppose the competition on the sport airplane engine market is rather stiff for thouroughbred italian engine builders...

OK "DarZeelon"... we are not claiming that our Rossi 60 will swing a 14x5 at anything like 13,500, (it is effective no less on the lightweight plane on which it is being used).....but the picco 80 may go close perhaps?? We were simply stating the safety limits of the composite props and that these 1980's type pattern motors were designed to scream, not lug a big, high pitch prop. The limits of the prop therefore limit the revs it can safely be swung at.....which is stated as "190,000/prop diameter in inches". Something like running a ferrari at high speed on retreads?? Our Rossi 60 is therefore overpropped in that it won't run to its "confortable" revs but should'nt on a 14" prop as limited by safety anyway!! Leaves you between a rock and a hard place ??

Not at all, Mark.

The F3A .60 engines of days gone by, circa 1979-1982, could spin an 11x7-11x8 prop at 14,500-15,500, with the tuned pipe.

Spinning a Zinger wood (there were no APCs then) 11x7 prop at 14,500 RPM, requires the actual output to exceed 2 hp.

It is very easy for the manufacturer to publish these numbers, but it is much harder for his engine to actually demonstrate them.

The Picco .80 may need to go to higher RPM levels, to actually produce these outputs, but it can come close.

The Jett .90 is only capable of spinning a much lighter 12x6 APC at 14,700 and the BSE version at 15,500, equating output to 2.35 and 2.75 HP respectively.

It is a good thing prop manufacturers limit the RPM of their props.
A thrown blade has enough energy to kill, should if hit someone.

They over-prop the engines for quiet operation and good pulling power. If you are not in competition, I wouldn't worry about running so much prop.


The P-80 fan engine, while designed for fan use, is destined for a prop. It will have to be a smaller prop than what you would want on a pattern plane to take advantage of the timing of the fan engine. I think any of the other .60~.80 engines you have would be better for pattern use.

And don't get bogged down in a bunch of number-crunching mumbo-jumbo. Just look at the .80 as a really strong .60. Prop it just a little heavier than you would a normal .60 (try to keep the tip speed in check), and go have some fun with what will be a much more peppy plane.

Well, the old 80's era Picco 61 marine engines which were only a 5 port cylinder, made better than 3 hp on fai fuel. I would say the timing may be different some on the aero motor but it should EASILY make 2.5-2.8 hp in the aero motor. I will tell you this, in marine motors if guys could get parts for them today Picco would be as much in demand as the MAC, or CMB marine motors. The Scream with hp and rpms just cannot get support on them anymore.


Regards Curt

I also have a picco .45 marine that was given to me but I cannot find any place that has parts? All I need is a carb. If any one has any info please let me know. Im also looking for an exploded parts list? If you have one or know where I can find one please let me know, I will be willing to pay for it. Thanks.

I was wondering if any one would be kind enough to email me a coppy of a manual for the first motor ,I was luccy enough to be given some motors on the weekend and the picco RC60 was one of them. The fellow told me that it will start but not run ,I suspect it is just the tuning as the bearings and other internals are brand new,it came with a tuned pipe and a carby that has the capacity to change the top end in flight . On one side of the casting it says PICCO RC60 but on the edge of the mounting lugs on both sides is stamped RC80,it has a black head , any info capacity and tuning parameters would be greately helpful and appreciated. my email is [email protected]
have a great day all
Kind regards Peter

I have the Picco and Skyward .40 engines. They are my favorite .40 size engines and I have 23. Internal parts are the same other than the cylinder liner. The Skyward porting is a little milder but they carburate well and run strong. Skyward parts are available from Udisco in Canada. https://udisco.com/product-list.php?mid=349
They used to sell the engines but only have left over NOS stock now.

Max