RE: Great Planes Escapade .40 ARF
To clarify, I meant rebuild the servo with a new nylon gear set that is probably available for that servo. If you feel there maybe other issues (electrical) with the servo that you can't trust, then by all mean, replace with new servos. I like to put fresh electronics into a new plane if I can and you certainly don't want to put questionable servos or radio into a beautiful new Escapade or even a new Avistar.
The Avistar is also a good Sport flying airplane. Your description of flying circuits with repetitive takeoffs and landings, I remember also. It's a fun airplane. You just have to initially get past the incredible wrinkles on the fuselage. Mine didn't fly any worse because of the wrinkles.