kadet senior engine question

It won't do any good to get opinions on pros and cons here. If you already have a two stroke, get a four stroke and see if you like it. I love them. For me, half the fun of this hobby is running engines, and I like knowing that all those little parts in there are moving around. That's probably why I have zero interest in electric planes. Ho hum.

Anyway, both kinds of engines are great as far as I'm concerned. I wouldn't want to have only one kind or the other. You won't know for yourself until you try it.

Robbie

What he said. Only thing I would add is that a .46 2 stroke such as the OS .46FX or a Saito .56 4 stroke is plenty of engine for this plane. My father has the Saito .56 4 stroke on his and its plenty of power even carrying a onboard wireless video system with a 10 cell AA nicad pack to power it. I have a KSA powered by a Super Tigre .51 ringed 2 stroke carrying an identical video system and its actually over powered. Wont hover but I have come close to tearing the vertical fin off of it a couple of times diving full throttle. The KSA is a very good flyer and bolting a huge engine on it is a waste of both plane and engine. Resist the temptation!

A cheap 2 stroke "40" will be more engine than you need for that plane. a 4 stroke sounds better and has more torque but if your just starting out and may dork the plane it's a lot better to smash a 70 dollar engine rather than a 200 dollar one. Of course if your like about 75 percent of the guys who get into this hobby you'll get the 4 stroke and take it home in a basket after a few flights. Ps. did the guys who told you to get a 4 stroke just happen to have a used one for sale? W.C.Fields may have been right (never give a sucker and even break) good luck

Phazor 30 on ten cells. Plane does not get greasy.

| Of course if your like about 75 percent of the guys who get into | this hobby you'll get the 4 stroke and take it home in a basket | after a few flights.

Really? Most people that I've seen start out have 2 cycle engines in the 0.40 to 0.46 range, usually attached to your standard trainer. Of course, this is at a traditional club. Outside of that, it's electrics and gliders around here :)

As for two stroke vs. four stroke, let me give you the pros and cons --

Two-strokes are better!

----------------------- More power for a given displacement/weight/size Higher RPM rating (better for racers) Much cheaper (often 1/2 to 1/3rd as much!) Much simpler (easier to fix yourself if needed)

Four-strokes are better!

------------------------ More torque (better for slow flying planes, 3D planes) Less RPMs, so they make less noise overall The noise they do make is more `agreeable'. Slightly more fuel efficient (?)

The cost difference and the higher torque ratings are probably the most important factors. Especially the cost, because I see a lot more two strokes out there than four strokes :)

Is that enough power for a Kadet Senior ARF? Due to some weird damaged parts replacment confusion, I ended up with an entire "extra" KSA in the box in addition to the one I purchased. I had been thinking about building it for electric but had no idea of what motor to use for it. Meanwhile its nice and safe under my bench...

I flew a Senior with a K&B 61 on it. We put half span half chord flaps on it for fun. Drove the flaps with a LG servo. What a trip!

I'd certainly second that recommendation.

From another reply:

like about 75 percent of the guys who get into this hobby you'll get the 4 stroke and take it home in a basket after a few flights.

Pardon? IMHO that's a pile of baloney.

Not to negate my comment up top, but I also say there is no reason to shy away from a four stroke if the cost is not an issue.

If you;re starting out in the hobby, then it should be safe to say you are seeking help from someone at the local club, or a friend/acquanitance experienced in the hobby. In which case, any perceived difficulties managing a four stroke should not be an issue. I know several people who started out with them, and I don;t see them taking engines home in a bag.

Mike D.

I taught myself to fly. I did not have a crash until flying for a few years. I ended up selling my first multi-channel model completely intact and never damaged after a couple of years of active flying.

Would a four-stroke have been a bad choice for me? They were not available back then, but I just want to point out that not every beginner crashes. Almost, but not every.

If a person finds the four-stroke appealing and doesn't sweat the money, then fly a four-stroke, by all means.

If the little bit of difference between a two-stroke and a four-stroke engine is a problem financially, then you are probably in the wrong hobby and should spend your spare time concentrating on how to increase your income. This hobby is expensive and it becomes more expensive as time progresses.

Ed Cregger

It takes a pretty good crash to damage an engine, although it happens.

While on the topic of 2-stroke vs. 4-stroke, the initial cost is definitely higher for a 4-stroke, but the long term cost may actually be lower. Many people feel a four stroke gets a third better fuel economy than a two stroke. If I use the example of my OS.70 four stroke, I have run 22 gallons of fuel through the engine. The total fuel cost is $15/gallon X 22 gallons = $330. If I had instead used a two stroke that used a third more fuel, I would have used 29 gallons of fuel at a cost of $435. That $100 more in fuel cost to operate a two stroke engine starts to become greater than the differential in initial cost between a good two stroke and good four stroke engine. I expect to run many more gallons of fuel through my OS.70, so in the long run, the choice to purchase a four stroke was less expensive for me than to buy a two stroke engine.

Greg