I had a .40 Phoenix Models Super Decathlon (the same as Seagull .40 or Black Horse ones) and now repairing my .120 size. In my experience I can’t say that those planes are forgiven and easy to fly. Of course I can compare these planes to what I’ve had and used to have such as GP Piper Cherokee, Hangar 9 RV8, NitroPlanes Yak-54 etc. The S. Decathlons something like nicely flying gliders; however, if the speed is less than a critical one, the stall is unpredictably fast and happens without any precautions such as waving wings etc. They are not popular as Extra 260/300, Yak-54, SBach, Katana because they are required more experience in aerobatics than those planes above. I am talking about aerobatics - not gliding in the sky and doing straight and inverted loops. Honestly I can’t do a proper knife-edge with my Decathlon, even rolls are not straight because the Decathlon needs input from all controls (rudder, ailerons, and elevator) to make the same roll as my Yak-54 can do just using aileron stick and a little bit of elevator. Top wing is good for gliding, but not as good in the inverted flights, rolls and hovering. The loops, hammer-heads are fine and easy for Decathlons.
Does anyone have different feelings regarding Bellanca Super Decathlons?