First off, Hello to everyone... just spent some time trolling over the boards a bit, reading what you all have to say. Finally decided to post... you all seem to know what you are talking about.

Anyways, on with the question. I purchased an Avistar Select a few years ago. I learned to fly it back then, took some time off, and have recently begun flying again.

I've found that I was able to pick up the controls and solo fly it no problems, even after a two year hiatus.

I am able to pull the thing into simple aerobatics: rolls, loops, inverted flight, stalls, etc... I'm finding that I just want the thing to have a little more umph. Are there any "cost effective" upgrades I can throw on it to give me a bit more power?

It is currently stock with the OS .40 LA engine and a 10X6 Master Airscrew prop.

Biggest issue with enhancements is that they have to be fairly cheap... I can't seem to convince the wife that I NEED more power!

Yeah, I got one helpful piece of advice for the Avistar; don't fly too close to the trees like I did yesterday! I swear, that tree jumped out in front of the plane and grabbed it out of the air. Although, to tell the full story, the other fliers watching swear the tree never moved. I think they have it in for me

As for more power, an OS 46 FX would be a great engine for the plane. Then when you are ready for your next plane, get a 40-sized low-wing trainer (Goldberg Tiger2, Sig 4 Star 40, Sig Somethin' Extra) and install the 46. Put the 40 back in the Avistar which will give you a great low-wing trainer and the Avistar still can fly for those "touch and go" flying days.

Just my opinion (and is exactly what I'm doing).

Thunder Tiger .46 pro

Unbeatable engine for the price

For now, I don't have the money to throw into a new engine.

I've done some research and read that by throwing on an 11X4 prop would give me a bit more climbing power. Anyone have any experiences with this?

Try APC brand props suggested sizes (10x5 10x6 11x4 11x5)

MA are good but APC props seem to give better performance

Welcome to RCU.

With a name like Pixelator, are you by any chance in the graphics field?

Is it that obvious?

lol.. actually I adopted the name back in college when I was a Graphics Design major.

Now I'm a Web/Application Developer, kinda the same, but not quite. No clue how that happened, either.

Recently started flying glow, bought an Avistar with an OS 46 FX and have had a permanent smile on my face since my first solo with it a week ago. Great engine and a very fun plane with that engine and a rear-enough c.g. (took 4 oz tail weight). Currently flying 10x6 prop to keep from breaking them on the grass field - plenty of power, and I end up flying around forever at half throttle.

Next stop, 4 * 40 with the same engine. Just gotta convince the wife.

Try the props Crashem suggested.
Try moving the CG back a tad.
Try increasing control throws.

Those three things can really juice up a trainer.

pixelator,
You might try taking the baffle out of the muffler and enlarging the exhaust outlet of the muffler. I have done this with the mufflers on the FP series and picked up anywhere from 500 to 900 RPMS on a 10X6 prop. I didn't notice that much of an increase in the sound level.
Fred B

I'm going to try a new prop this weekend... think I'll grab an 11X4 and check it out.

I'll also move the CG back a hair by adding some weights. Those all sounds like 'cheap' trials.

As for the baffle in the muffler, and enlarging the exhaust outlet... um... I'm kinda new to this whole thing. How hard would that be?

Removing the baffle from the muffler is quite easy.

First, take off the lock nut at the rear of the muffler. Then you can remove the screw that holds the muffler halves together. The baffle is the cone shaped piece with the hole in the center. Just put the muffler back together without it and you're done.

As far as enlarging the outlet opening, that will require using a drill a little larger than the hole that is in there already and carefully letting the drill bit follow the sides of the present hole.

Personally, I'd try just removing the baffle and see what happens.

Phil in MN

I'll give that a shot.

Also picked up some 11X5 props.

Thanks for the advice guys.