Hello Everyone,
  It looks that I may have lost a 40VF that I was going to use on a piped ship. Apart from another 40 or 46 VF, what would be a better bet? Preferably something that isn't too expensive?

Regards,

Andrew.

Hello Bill,
  Thought that PAs would figure in any answers! Pity they are a little on the pricey side. I know that you get what you pay for and a PA would outlast most things. The problem is that a PA would probably outlast me!
  The 40 VF is very well documented on a pipe, but it is a bit on the heavy side. I was hoping that there might be something a little less pricey and lighter in weight. I don't have the experience to sort out a cheaper alternative, was hoping to pinch someone Else's hard work!

Regards,

Andrew.

Hello everyone,
  No way was I trying to get at Randy ! He shipped to the address I gave him. The fault is all mine. Randy is a real gentleman. He has put up with me and his help and service is second to none.

Regards,

Andrew.

Hello Everyone,
  It looks that I may have lost a 40VF that I was going to use on a piped ship. Apart from another 40 or 46 VF, what would be a better bet? Preferably something that isn't too expensive

   Lost?  Like in "misplaced"?

    For the money (~$150) you can't beat the VF. I have run pretty much everything in the range, and the only things *I* like better, overall, are the RO-Jett 61 BSE ("Brett version") set up per my SSW post, and the PA75 ("David Version") set up per our SN article. But I have run almost any of the likely 40-61 systems back-to-back-to-back and while they are all radically different in run characteristics and setup, overall the performance is not grossly different from the VF. The VF does some stuff better, the PA61 does some stuff better, and the RO-Jett does some stuff better. The RO-Jett is closest to a VF - it's like a giant 46VF the way I run it. Now of course, as always, *that's just me*. I know exactly what I want it to do, and can make the RO-Jett do that more easily than the others. That's not a knock on anything else.

   When I go to the NATS, while I now have some RO-Jett backups, I always take a ready-to-run 40VF. If I ever get in trouble I know that is going to work regardless of whatever my problems may have been.

    Of all the current systems available, the only one I would consider switching to is the David PA75 setup. All of the alternatives are considerably more expensive than a VF, but even at $400-ish dollars I consider them a huge bargain. They are all pretty much bulletproof, and you don't really need spare engines or parts. I ran my PA61 for something like 6 years with ZERO maintenance and it was still just fine.   I had to put it in the airplane at the 2003 NATS, after having not run it for a year and a half, and I didn't even have to touch the needle, just cruised along at 5.4 in a thundering 4-stroke.

    Brett

PTG's been using a VF lately.

Brett,

>>are the RO-Jett 61 BSE ("Brett version") set up per my SSW post<<

Where could this be found on SSW?

On the 40VF, for the money, you won't find any better. I'd just look for another one.

Brett,

>>are the RO-Jett 61 BSE ("Brett version") set up per my SSW post<<

Where could this be found on SSW?

http://www.clstunt.com/htdocs/dc/dcboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=103&topic_id=232053&mesg_id=232053&listing_type=search

  You responded to it, I think.

    Brett

   Certainly, which engine is "better" is an opinion, since no one has determined what "better" means.  I have been pretty careful to avoid going down the list of what particular characteristics I think are better or worse about various engines combinations because it is just an opinion, to maintain harmony/avoid directed urination contests.

    Brett

Hi Brett

I agree with you about what is "better", many people think all 4 cycle with no hint of a 2 is "better" some run the VF in a screaming 2 cycle so it cannot "windup, still other think a wet 2 cycle all the time is "better", Then again you have the classic 4/2 run that many people will never go away from. I think the thing is to find what type of run suits "you" (the pilot) better and go from there. I have just been informed that side EX motor run better and "all"  RE motors..so there is another " opinion"
Many differant ways to do the same task...run the same engines..

Regards
Randy

Have you considered a PA-40 Ultra Lite? 

Hello Randy,
  That is kind of you. Will do a little more digging on the "missing" 40 that may or may not be missing! Will give you a call soon.

Many Thanks,

Andrew.

  From what has been said, there are lighter options with well known setups, but they cost more! Looks as though another 40 VF or maybe a 46 VF is still a good compromise (I expect the 46 to be lighter than the 40?!)

There was a smaller sibling of the 40VF: 25VF. It can pull a .40 size airframe. Ebay.

Hello Randy,
  Don't want to start a slanging match! So I will be brief and state my requirements. 1/ I want to try a piped ship, before I get too ill and decrepit. 2/ I can't handle a large heavy plane, because of a muscle wasting disease, so small it will be! 3/ The only "objection" I have to an OS 40 VF is that it is a heavy engine. I am not keen on extra weight, because of 2/.
  From what has been said, the OS 40 VF sounds good because it is plug and play, this is why I went for the combo in the first place. I was hoping that my post would turn up a similar performace / well known set up, engine that was maybe a bit lighter and hopefully cheaper.

   Sorry to hear of your illness, but one of the other features of the 40VF is that the line tension is not overwhelming, particularly when it gets windy. The tension is light to moderate  - but the same everywhere. That has been a consistent feature in any airplane I put it in, including the airplane I normally fly with a 61. One reason is that you can generally fly a little slower without running out of poop in the verticals.

     Brett

The thing is a bit of a boat anchor, but the truth is, you just shorten the nose a bit and move on. And in the grand scheme, the extra couple of ounces don't really make any difference to the overall Member in good standing of P.I.S.T
(Politically Incorrect Stunt Team)
AMA 67711

Randy Powell

So why are you so P.I.S.T.?