Hi Mark, I hear you. Very common for us, who build, to try and attempt and make reinforcements and revisions to the original plan. When I ordered the Kits from Dennis G., the owner of Carden (Carolyn + Dennis = Car - Den). Carolyn is his wife. Dennis, spoke to me for a good while, and gave me a good amount of history, as well as, telling me, how extensively this airplane kit has been tested by pilots, and in particular, by Kurt Koelling, "the professor" ( I believe is his forum name). He tells me that Kurt has done extensive testing, and with the stock airplane, if built exactly as described, then It will last 1000's of flights, and be able to compete in all classes of competition. Any revisions or additions or omissions, you see us do, according to Dennis, is not required. But we are who we are, and we love to revise and change things up!! Guess it makes it more unique. I have stolen ideas from Primo, Dave Dixon, Dean Nistetter, and even from other kits, like Daltons.... SO , it is definitely fun to build and change things up. You definitely would not want to change things up to the point, where it compromises the air frame, but adding carbon fiber, may add some weight, compared to balsa. However, the carbon fiber is lighter than hard woods, like bass wood, spruce, etc...