I ordered a new Avistar ARF trainer and should have it in a few days. Does anybody have any great ideas on what I might do to improve the durability or flyability of the plane? I do have a lot of experience in kit building.......just don't know this plane. Thanks, All!

The best thing to do is to double the firewall.

Make a cardboard pattern (including engine-mount & fuel-line access holes).

Cut out a new firewall of 3/16" or even 1/4" ply & drill the engine mount holes & fuel-line access hole.

Roughen the face of your firewall & epoxy in the new ply on top of the existing firewall.

When cured, cross pin the firewall with #4 screws through the fueslage sides into the edge of of the re-inforced structure.

Fuel proof the new structure with thin CA.

Replace the engine mount & engine.

Check the C-of-G & go flying.

sounds prudent...thanks

I would consider a stiffer landing gear. The stock wire one very bouncy. This is a great plane, I really loved mine.