Originally Posted by Aeroplayin

A lot of variables here.... the DLE55 is typically a 23x8 wood and a 23x9 CF engine on a can, so it will have its limits. I've seen 6950 to 7300 RPMs on the engine with a can, which is pretty good, but any superior vertical out of a hover will need a plane in the 18 pounds or less range unless you really crank the needles down and run it dangerously lean. JMO, and remember I live in the heat of FL, so we have our own issues. My friend has one on his 18.5 pound Yak 54 with a can, and the 23x9 is the best prop he found for it, and it is okay. I think I took a video of Tom flying that plane at the Huckfest in Pt Charlotte, so you can take a look at his youtube channel if you want to see how the setup does on an 18.5 pound plane.

Don't make it more complicated than it needs to be......I flew mine for 3yrs. on a DA50 (before I sold it) and it did everything I wanted. I kept it light and never found myself unhappy w/performance. If you allready own the DLE 55 it should turn a few more rpms than a DA50 so you should be just fine unless you live @ 5,000+. Now, if you got the cash, go with a DA60.

Originally Posted by flygilmore

Don't make it more complicated than it needs to be......I flew mine for 3yrs. on a DA50 (before I sold it) and it did everything I wanted. I kept it light and never found myself unhappy w/performance. If you allready own the DLE 55 it should turn a few more rpms than a DA50 so you should be just fine unless you live @ 5,000+. Now, if you got the cash, go with a DA60.

Not over complicating anything, but let's not over-simplify either. I've been disappointed too many times by power systems that made other people happy. If you can tell us the prop you were using, the exhaust system you were using, and the RPMs the engine was capable of, then I can get a better feel for what you're talking about. But I never had any use for a DA-50 with a stock muff on an 18.5 pound plane either.

I do appreciate all the numbers you put up for those of us pondering a new purchase, invaluable research and brain power, but I think the point flygilmore was making, was, "fly what you got", sitting at home and calculating thrust to weight ratios is not going to make you a better pilot.

Originally Posted by flygilmore

Did you buy the botched repair job Edge from Jake M?????

Yep. But the repair looks pretty good to me, what was botched on the repair? Or did I just mistake your meaning? For the price ($800, all but rx, with 7955's all around it was hard to complain too much )

Originally Posted by 3drcparts

I do appreciate all the numbers you put up for those of us pondering a new purchase, invaluable research and brain power, but I think the point flygilmore was making, was, "fly what you got", sitting at home and calculating thrust to weight ratios is not going to make you a better pilot.

Sure, but collinss asked if the DLE 55 would be enough power for the EF 88" Edge or should he go bigger, then asked about how it would pull out of a hover. I'm not sure it's an issue of "flying what you got." The question is DLE55, or go bigger. The answer from me would be, go bigger.

my point is people chase performance through better product rather than practice, I see it everyday.

They spend countless hours on research, and dollars on products thinking that will make them fly better. Yet they fly 2-3 packs a week.

Yeah, I see that now, so I edited my post. You'll fly more if you like what you are flying, and MO would be that I'd like flying the 88 on a DA60 with a pipe.

I had a conversation with Hoffman earlier today about flying skills and time invested. He has started a new job back in May that involves him being away from home for 11 hours a day, 5 days a week and he basically gets to fly for a few hours on one day of the weekend IF the weather gods are smiling on us. He has 2 outstanding setup planes, but his skills are just not up to the same standards as the previous season.

My personal issue is that I jump around in my fleet too much and can't seem to fly the same plane for too long, and I realize my "mad scientist" routine gets in my way of progress in my flying. Nothing beats just getting a 60" EXP and just flying the snot out of it a few times a week.

I have seen setup and equipment get in the way of progress, but as long as one buys a quality EF or 3DHS airframe, sets it up correctly with decent equipment, then it just becomes time on the sticks that separates us.

Looks like that 74 Laser with the piped DA35 is something you may fly for a while when you get your weather back, Matt.

Da60 is a great engine, love it on my 88 extra, but prefer the stock muffler due to vibration issues

Maybe. It is very quick. I just realized I forgot to gap seal it so it will only better.

I still want a e version.

Here are some photos I just took of the garage to show some size comparisons with the 7X" EXPs versus a few 3DHS and redwing offerings. It is a 50cc slick.

Quite the hangar you have there. If you are married have they required you to go get counseling?jk

This is only part of it. Next time I have the car out I will take a panorama. My fleet is actually down in size as I have sold or crashed or long term stored 3 60cc airframes and a 110 yak in the last month or so.

My spouse has a vstar 750, the shed I built her for it, and her 2 dogs. She chafes at the time I spend at the field, not the toys themselves.

Check out my new B and E Graphics "radial engine."

Originally Posted by Doc Austin

Check out my new B and E Graphics "radial engine."

Looks great Doc, I love it.