In 1985 I bought a lightwing with a 582 and would have flown it over the straight If given the opportunity,UNTIL, the engine failed over open country and a safe landing evolved. It was then that I made the decision that I would never fly a two stroke powered aircraft again no matter what pressure came my way.
I am still flying regularly in my own aircraft , since then they have been Jabiru 4 and 6 cyl and a 8 cyl in a Mk26 Spitfire and currently a Rotax 912 uls ---4cyl !!!!
The engine failed at 107 hrs absolutely no warning and just disintegrated ,my advice since then to any buyer pilot is if you are going to do any serious flying over anything you cannot land on safely then give two strokes a miss!!!!