Hi John
My thoughts has to be you're on your own regarding shortening the wingspan by 8". I haven't a clue how that will affect the flyability of it. I think you have it about right with the wing loading though. As for the flying you're right it is slow and floaty but that was what endeared me to it. Aerobatics, apart from loops,forget it but on a nice windless day it was just lovely to do slow approaches and touch and goes of which it excells. Personally i didn't think it was very happy on windy days.hope that helps
Regards
Styk