Okie dokie, some updates on this.... I figure i'd let you guys know how things have gone.
First couple of flights were completely disheartening. I couldn't do an outside loop with it to save my life, it would literally try to fall out of the sky! I spent some time playing with the handle, thinking I could get by with a couple tweaks, nope. I was feeling like a failure.
To the chagrin of my girlfriend, I commandeered the kitchen table (glass top and I could work 360* around the ship) for an evening. I leveled the table, then blocked her up on the table looking for anything that was way out of whack. I mean, I was on the other side of the Atlantic compared to where I needed to be. Everything was within a millimeter or two of where I needed to be, not even close to what I was looking for. ugh.... OK, on to the next.....
During this, I received a call from Bruce Perry, who was reading about my troubles via facebook (gasp!). After much discussion, and agreeing that my numbers made sense (though, he wasn't a fan of the mm or two out of whack, but agreed it shouldn't be enough to be completely unflyable) he asked what prop I was running. I had a master airscrew 11.5x5 on it (i think that's what it was). "Bingo, 90% of your problems". Turns out, while that airscrew looked sweet with the paint job, they are a joke for stunt. Lesson learned! I swapped it out for an APC 12x6, on top of not being a wuss with the CG and added some weight to the tail (it's supposed to have a fox 35, and a half inch prop extension... I didn't use an extension and the motor is a Jett61), NIGHT AND DAY! I have something I can work with!
Last night, I went for longer lines. I was running 60' eye to eye, and moved to 66' eye to eye. Wow, night and day again! I didn't feel nearly as cramped in the circle, and made maneuvering much more civilized. Handling was so confidence inspiring enough that I ventured out of the beginners pattern a bit, adding in what resembled a reverse wing over, the 6 inverted laps, outside squares, and square 8's. This is also an incredibly easy ship to take-off and land with, it's the first time I managed a nice long roll-out, and a smooth climb that lasted the entire lap. landings are great as well!
Next season is going to be fun
![#^](https://stunthanger.com/smf/Smileys/classic/bounce.gif)
Time to winterize her, hang her up, and break out beaters to stuff learning the rest of the pattern! Intermediate, here I come!