Most sticks, mine included, have the engine rotated 90 deg. Why? I'm "assembling" a new ultra stick 60 w/ an OS 95AX, and was wondering why everyone mounts them sideways. I noticed the huge muffler hanging down on the 95, and thought if I had a hard landing and knocked the gear off, the exhaust/motor would take the brunt if the secondary impact. Just tell me to shut up and fly it, and I will :-)

The main reason to side mount is to get the carb down to the center of the fuel tank. This helps in having the engine run more consistently from full to empty.

Bliksem

Not everyone mounts side ways

Mine is up right and naked,

Bob

I also do it because I think it keeps some of the snot off the wing.

what bliksem said is the right technical reason.

however most engines now have a pressure feedback to the tank which largely negates the need to mount sideways.

I would like to mount mine side ways as well but having it vertical has advantages from a glow driver staying on the glow plug during starting perspective.

to keep castor gloop off the wings I have ordered BCM OS46 in cowl upright muffler  that will vent downwards. Nw I will cover my tyres in snot and skate off the runway instead