All great suggestions. The T-Bolt can be a handful for even the very experienced. I would not recommend it to even be worked on until you have about 10 KITS under your belt. Plus, being up an attic will not help the balsa being a great shape. The TF kits take a lot of attention to detail to be built straight and light. You also need to look a the radio and the engine. Go to a local flying field or take it to a hobby shop (that actually knows something about Futaba Radios - Tower Hobbies radios are Futabas) and have them check the batteries and to make sure it is Gold Stickered (if pre-1991). The Hobby Shop or to a flying field should also be able to take a good look at the engine. Please don't let some young kid tell a bunch of BS. Find someone that actually knows what they are talking about. Try to find a good used trainer, or even buy a new kit and build it yourself. Most clubs can find someone that is moving up in and is willing to get rid of the "old, slow" trainer. Good Luck