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Planar laser induced fluorescence (PLIF) imaging of hydroxyl (OH) radicals is applied to a single cylinder spark ignited internal combustion engine (ICE) to study the development of turbulent flames. A single laser pulse from an excimer laser is formed into a two-dimensional (2-D) light sheet which intersects the flame in the combustion chamber at different delay times after the spark ignition, and 1 mm below the spark plug. The PLIF images are then captured with an intensified charge coupled device (CCD) camera, which is time gated with the laser pulse. The single-laser pulse PLIF images are then stored with a video cassette recorder (VCR) for further analysis. Real-time PLIF images were observed at different delay times after the spark ignition from consecutive engine cycles and at different engine speeds running on propane. Cycle-to-cycle variations were observed.