OK I've read that by installing the prop backwards and running the engine lean you will slow down the speed of the plane ( for training ). Is  this true. What other suggestions for just starting to fly ( in relation to engine speed or adjustments )?

Chuck,
They use to do this on some 1/2 A trainers but you would be better off as Dane said to reduce the pitch (I would go only one pitch lower than the normal prop) and run the engine a little richer.

For training one of the important things is to limit the control throw so that it only move a small amount like 3/32" up or down. This way you can't over control which is what most first time flyers do. Very small elevator movements are needed to fly the plane level. You can take a couple pieces of scrap and sand a little angle into them (like training wheel on a two wheel bike) (could use an old clothes pin-clamp type, just take it apart) put one on top and one underneath clamp to the stabilizer to limit elevator movement. Once you master level flight you can remove the limiters or sand them to give more movement to fly at higher flight level and do small climbs and dives. Once comfortable with that that them off and your on your way to lean some stunts.

Best,        DennisT

Great point on the elevator travel. I can post a video on how to set up a bell crank and control horn for a trainer.

  Well, I would provide a minor objection - don't directly block the controls. Slow them down instead. If you block them and leave everything else alone, you will tend towards either full up or full down, and nothing in between. Make the handle spacing smaller, or the control ratios in the airplane slower.

    Brett

http://stunthanger.com/smf/index.php/topic,40947.0.html

Posted in 1/2A building

I didn't really get into that only because those are specific to that plane. The bell crank is under the wing, and the elevator is a lot higher. It's just one of those quirky things for that model on the plans