ORIGINAL: ptarp
I'm speaking from experience, you are not. The Avistar can EASILY handle an 18oz engine without degrading performance. LA engines do not last as long as the ones with bearings, and don't have nearly as much power. I will concede that most people don't fly their trainers like an aerobat, and therefore don't need a ton of power on it. But, it just so happens that the Avistar is a very capable aerobatic plane, with the right engine(not an LA).
Good, that's what I was looking for when I started this thread: information from those more experienced. I didn't mean to imply the Avistar couldn't handle a heavier engine (how would I know?), and I'm glad to hear it can, because I might want to go that route with it later on after I get good at flying it stock. And I certainly didn't intend to start an argument with anybody or contradict what you were saying. I was just trying to clarify that Ralph was comparing his heavy Evolution engine to a much lighter non-BB OS engine like my LA or his FP. I like the way my Avistar flies with the 40LA as I learn to fly it better and learn about glow engines. Yes, I find I'm thinking of ways to get more power, but I like to take small steps and see what a plane will do as I make changes and learn things. I do some aerobatics with it as is, though I'm certainly not very accomplished at it yet. I also like to do some slow flying to just feel how the plane flies and enjoy the beauty of it. I'm glad to hear the Avistar is capable of handling more power to do more advanced aerobatics which I would like to be able to do someday, but for now I'm learning as I go and enjoying it very much.
ORIGINAL: ptarp
If you are so worried about weight, why did you put totally unnessary weight in it?
I'm not so worried about weight other than I've always heard that with model airplanes lighter is better. Actually, the 2 Hitec HS-81's I put in the wing weigh 4g less than the Futaba S3003 they replaced. And I don't think it's unnecessary to do this since I am learning things and having fun doing so. And it does land slower and takeoff shorter with flaperons. I took off across the width of our field yesterday using the flaperons even with the low-powered 40LA. I'll admit there was a little headwind that helped.
Plus, I had an 11x5 prop on it that seemed to give it better thrust for takeoff runs.
ORIGINAL: ptarp
You are right. The weight would be better suited in upgrading to a better engine.
I'm sure I will get to the better engines in time, when I'm ready. I look forward to it.
And just so there's no doubts, I really like the Avistar. I bought it based on all the good comments I've read about it and it hasn't disappointed. I'm getting lots of comments from people on how well it flies and I'm enjoying every minute of everything I'm doing with it. It is a great airplane.