I had the Avistar as my trainer and loved it. It is also a tough plane and can take quite a bit of punishment. It's still balsa, but it is built very well. I wouldn't heistate to get another one if I was going to get another trainer. Another? you say...yes, I lost the first one to a mid air with a bird. I figure the odds are you won't have the same thing happen to you.

BTW: If you do a search on RCU you will find countless threads about the Avistar...and other trainers if you want to look into them as well.