Saito FA56 on a .60 size Chipmunk?

by Brian
(pocatello)

Can you run a Saito FA 56 on a .60 size chipmunk? Will this combination give me enough power to fly the airplane with decent flight characteristics?

I already have the Saito FA 56 and I really don't have the cash right now to buy a larger engine for my Chipmunk. So I am trying to find out from some of the more experienced modelers if the engine I already have will have the necessary power to get the job done.

Any advice you can offer will be greatly appreciated!

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Saito FA56 on a .60 size Chipmunk?

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Four stroke on your sixty size plane
by: TexasFlyBoy13

"60 size" is refering to a 2 stroke nitro sized engine. If you plan to use a 4 stroke, your 60 size plane will require at least a Saito .91 or possibly a 1.25 depending on the elevation of your location.

What does "60 size" mean?
by: Anonymous

What size of fuse and wing defines that it is in that scale?

RC airplane size designation...
by: Matt

Hi Brian,

The classification of what size engine an airplane takes whether it be "40 size" or "60 size" is determined by more factors other than the shear size or dimensions of the airplane.

The size of engine needed to fly the airplane as it was intended is where this designation comes from. This depends on what type of airplane it is, the wing loading, weight, how you plan to fly it. etc...

Here is an extreme example... For instance it takes a lot more thrust to move an F86 Sabre through the air than it would a high wing trainer of the same size. This is because the jet has less left and needs to go much faster to stay airborne.

Does this make sense?

Maybe not a good idea...
by: Anonymous

So the engine I have now would work but it would be working much harder than if I put it on a twist?

Don't do it man...
by: Matt

For starters, the engine is not powerful enough to fly the airplane. On top of that you will have to add dead weight to the nose to get it to balance.

The FA56 may get your plane airborne if you consider that "working". If you do manage to get it in the air it will be extremely sluggish and you won't have any power to get yourself out of a jam should you need the power.

I know engines are expensive and it's tempting to use the engine you already have. But I wouldn't suggest it man. It's not worth it.

Even if you do manage to fly it, it wouldn't be that much fun to have a Chipmunk that can barely get off the ground. And you stand a good chance of crashing it if it's under powered...

e-bay sounds good
by: Anonymous

I've been thinking of that too but I check E-bay a lot to try and see what's in my price range. I found some but I don't get paid till Friday witch means I watch them like a hawk. I found some in the $150 & the $250 range but money don't grow on trees too well.

Magnum XL 91?
by: Matt

Hey Brian,

Is this the Carl Goldberg Chipmunk?

I actually built one a few years ago, it's hanging in the garage. I have a Magnum 91 four stroke and she flies great. She won't hover or any of that crazy stuff, but flies great in the normal way a Chipmunk should fly!

Magnum XL 91 RFS Blue

Here is a picture of her:

Super Chipmunk

sweet plane
by: Brian

She's a beauty! I think the one I got is a Goldberg product as well. It had a .91 magnum too but the guy wanted the motor.

I did find a Saito fa82 on E-bay for a decent price. I also seen an Edge 540 that is a .40 size that only recommends using a 2cycle 0.25-0.32 or a 4 cycle 0.32-0.40 size engine. So I'm thinking that may be too beefy for the Edge 540.

But I would have power to spare in a pickle. Plus the high rates would be good for aerobatics. And the smoke system I have too is fun.

Any suggestions?

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