I see many posts about about which is better, TT or OS or YS or ....whatever. I too was caught up in that circle when I first started flying. As technology and performance increases (and "varies"), there are a few "constants" that hold true.

1) I can crash an overpowered plane just as easily as an underpowered plane.

2) Too much power has gotten my into more trouble than gotten me out of

3) No matter how many switches, knobs and gizmos your radio has, if you can't work the funny sticks in the middle, it is worthless.

4) the pilot makes the radio, the radio does not make the pilot

5) I would rather fly a boring piece of junk....than nothing at all!!

this is just my opinion, I am probably way off base...like usual. happy flying..I have to go to the hobby store and by some "really important stuff". JC

Really? Power has NEVER gotten me in trouble, only out of it. I have to say, that is the first time I have ever heard that statement. That stick on the left can help you with that over power problem.

Hello!
You are right ...the discussion whether OS .40X or TT .40SE is the most powerful engine is totally meaningless because these sportengines have nearly identical poweroutput and there is more up to the individual user which is more powerfull!!
And you are also right about that excess power can put you in more trouble than you ask for!
Building light and put on as light engines as possible is the rule of thumb in both sport and scale models...or should be......
I have been and is ...a pylonracing guy and in pylon we have a lot of power! and the engines are not OS and TT.....

Regards!
Jan K
Sweden

I have to agree with 1Jimbo. You can "Always" throttle back but you can only push it so far forward.

I also find this observation to be less than true. If you fly your airplane with the right amount of power as a norm -- very few of us susbscribe to a 2-position throttle (idle/full). I normally fly my airplane the way its designed. When I sometimes find myself is odd scenarios the extra power available gets me out of trouble all the time.

If, on the other hand you do subscribe to a 2-position throttle and fly your plane at full power you will inadvertently destroy it during those odd scenarios or even by having the airplane just plain fall apart in the air from flutter.

If you can afford the extra power (weight and money) then do so, but MANAGE it properly.

firefighter,

I very much agree with most of your comments. Many of the sports/hobbies I have been involved in have had this 'problem' with equipment envy. I do happen to like to have extra power, but find that the most important characteristic of the engine for me is reliability. I put a bigger engine on so I can move the stick up when I need to, and I want to fly without messing with it all the time. Both OS and Fox ( my sentimental choice ) have fit that bill very nicely. If I were racing or something, I suppose I would be pickier about max. power.

banktoturn

There is no subsitute for horsepressure when you have a newbie that is affraid to push the right stick forward on take off when that under powered plane is entering a stall.

Afraid or not... I'd feel far safer if the newbie learned to put the nose down, than
I would if he had an engine 1 1/2 sizes too big. If they don't learn early, they never learn.

You see it all the time, here in this very forum...
"...until I crashed it due to engine failure", or "but the engine died, so I crashed", etc...
I know there are extenuating circumstances sometimes, but gimme a break
Some guys think "it went dead" or "I got hit" are the only reasons they've ever crashed.



(Just playing the "other side" here.. I have an overpowered Magic, at home, and it's way fun...
but I do know how to fly "on the wing", on those occasions when I have to.)

Hi C watkins: A very valid point indeed. That is the way to fly no doubt. I am referring to myself more than anything having gotten out of trouble soooo many times by resorting to power. I am proud to say I do close my eyes and shove that right stick (elevater) forward now days, kidding of course. thanks for showing some of the even less experienced flyer's the proper way.