[Fodder]

Aside from the obvious cheaper fuel. What are pros, cons for running gas engines. R they harder to maintain, setup?

Inquiring minds want to know.

[nony]

I never thought mixed gas smelled that badly, til I spilled some inside my van...............it took weeks to get rid of the stink.
Other than that, generally if the engine starts, it will stay running. Very seldom see one stop in flight. But the big one - there is far less mess on the outside of the plane to clean up at the end of the day....

[Terry Gauvin]

I agree that smell is a negative, especially if you store your planes in the basement.

[Kevin McGrath]

There is a natural division point around 80" wingspan below which gassers are not practical due to weight considerations generally speaking.Examples of good first gasser planes would be the Sig 4/120 or the Dynaflite series which are ideal for a G23,RCS 1.4 or a weeder conversion.
Gas engines are almost totally reliable once set up,and it really is a case of set it and forget it.The fixed ignition timing on less expensive gas engines gives many people difficulty in starting,but there are ways around this ,such as spring starters,plug in electronic for starting only.and using your regular glow starter if its a problem for any individual.
The big advantages are fuel cost at about 10% of glow fuel and no mess on the sides of your model.The fuel cost advantage widens the bigger you go in displacement and a gas engine will pay for itself over time depending on how much you fly.
A cared for gas engine can last up to 1000 or more operating hours,which is a lot of flying.
Simplicity is nice too........when flying my electronic ignition gassers,my field kit consists of a one gal gas can and a glove for flipping the prop and thats all!......Oh yeah....I take a TX too!

[Bob Hudson]

Originally Posted by Terry Gauvin

I agree that smell is a negative, especially if you store your planes in the basement.

I store my planes in the basement between every flying session.

Adverse (gas) smell is not an issue.

Bob

[Bob Hudson]

Originally Posted by Kevin McGrath

Simplicity is nice too........when flying my electronic ignition gassers,my field kit consists of a one gal gas can and a glove for flipping the prop and thats all!......Oh yeah....I take a TX too!

Well said.

Simply put "Fuel, Flip 'n Fly"

Bob

[AJCoholic]

After two years of gas engine flying (while I still fly a lot of glow planes) I have to say when me and my buddy take our gas planes out, we carry GAS, a GLOVE, my FIRE EXTIGUISHER and thats about it! (not including the planes and tranny of course) Nothing to clean, no heavy flight box to carry around, etc. Lots of good points for gas planes.

I usually dont mix - when we haul the gassers out thats what I fly. When we haul the glow's out thats what we fly...

I dont particularly like gasoline smell, but thats why I store my gas cans in the outside shed and the planes are emptied and all vent lines plugged up. No chance of spilling and/or venting odour of gas.

The smallest plane I had that I flew (briefly) with a gasoline engine (homelite 30cc conversion with electronic ignition) was a 15 pound 27% Giles G300 from Ohio models, about a 78" ws. It flew OK but was overweight. I think the smallest planes I would go for gasoline conversion on is something around the size of the midwest extra (Like Kevin said) about 80" ws.

Andrew

[dondow]

Morning Fodder

During the winter I only fly my gasser helicopters. Easy start and less lugables needed.

Cheers
Don Dow

[Heli_Gal]

I know people who fly gasser helis using camper fuel, purported that it has the same power comparable to gasoline, It has no odor like the gasoline. Anyone had tried that? I'm in the process or breaking in my gasser heli engine, onced it's broken in I am inclined to give that a shot.

[Robcrash]

your talking naptha fuel? does one have to mix oil with that? I assume so? What do you mix it at 50: 1 ratio .
I fly all glo but would love to try a gasser