"Mxsmanic" wrote in message news:
...

Usually, when an engine starts sputtering, it's an engine problem. GA
aircraft are terribly prone to this, unfortunately.

Actually, the reliability of a properly maintained GA piston
engine is very high. The MTBF is of the order of 10**5 hours,
or to put it another way, were you to fly 8 hours/day for your
entire working life, you might not experience even one failure!

Statistically, and without any other information whatever,
a "sputtering engine" is far more likely to be caused by a fuel
problem -- mismanagement or contamination -- than an engine
problem.

Where did you get the impression that GA aircraft were
"terribly prone" to engine problems?