Gary,
You didn't say if your friend uses the down elevator for brakes on taildraggers and /or tricycle gear planes. However, if you research tailwheel basics you will find that down elevator (stick forward) is ill advised. For your model there are a couple of issues. One, you run the risk of putting the plane on its nose. Two, a keen eyed judge will down grade your score because taildragger pilots know to keep the stick back except in certain very specific cases, namely when having taxi in a down wind situation. Even then the elevator is held close to neutral. For tailwheel airplanes keeping the tail stuck to the ground is paramount.