Good observation, Chad. I'm aware of the FAI noise requirements....I may test my setup some time... With the 20 x 10 turning relatively-slowly (around 6500 or so), it's probably not REAL far over the 96db....but then, this one doesn't have to be.

The real concept model here would be the 10.5 lb, 1100 sq in, something or other that would tolerate an effective noise dampening installation.

Pizza's ideas are pretty interesting....but before I did a backplate kind of soft mount, I'd want to be certain the nose / thrust would be held solidly. That's a different problem with the current crop of gassers; sensor location.

Bob, I would be more than curious to know the on ground noise results

Personally I think electrics will enter the picture before gas engines will ever have an opportunity to take over, at least in the pattern scene.

That 12lb Electric Funtana that Hacker Electric Motors was flying during half time at the TOC is now capable of 30 minute flights!

Thats 30 minutes of high alpha rolling circles, torque rolls, vertical hand launches to hovering,...

All of that with some prop noise and a bit of gear whine!

The keys to this performance are the new gen of lithium packs with 2x the run time, 3x the voltage and 30% lighter weight.

Exactly Adrian, I dont think electrics in competition will be that far away.

Forget about gas and glow, electric is where its at!!

Credit where credit is due: The idea of the wellnuts came from Ed at ES Composites, who saw the setup in Czech last summer on a plane built by Hoffman Enterprises. However, B&B has been selling similar mounts for Zenoah engines, and US Engines has a similar mount in the Tower Hobbies catalog. Use them in good health!
Bob, while the engines shakes a bit at idle, it does not shake violently, and certainly does not require a nose ring. It does completely eliminate the drumbing of the fuse and covering. My Friend Ray's (Pizza) plane is amazingly quiet.
Charliep, formerly of Anchorage, now At Large

The dB levels shouldn't be a problem with the K&S pipes?
Pizza, do you have any dB figures?

I guess Chad is right about the electrics, but how much would a motor+battery setup cost?
How many flights before the battery is rooted?

Help, I have a rcs 180 that IĀ“ve had nothing but problem with (2 years now). I fill itĀ“s the carburator (walbro wt 225a). What other carburator could I use in it place? I canĀ“t find this carb number anywhere.