The limiters on my Alpha 40 didn't bother me until the weather started to cool off after my first summer of flying. That was when I first needed to move the needle past the point that the limiter would let me.

I think the limiters are a bad idea. If they would just include a better explanation of how to adjust the needle valves, kind of like the diagram provided in every OS manual, people should be able to tune their engines just fine. Instead of taking the approach of educating the users on proper adjustment, they tried to make it idiot proof.

It's kind of a 'teach a man to fish' situation.

I never had problems with the main landing gear on my Alpha. I did have problems with the nose gear and the firewall. I would recommend some tri-stock and epoxy on the firewall. If not now, then you'll be doing it when the firewall pops loose.

I would also recommend epoxying the wing halves together instead of just taping them like the manual says.

Good luck. It is a great flying trainer.