Dreamland,

I don't think removing the pilot will compromise anything.

Pull-pull should be easily done since there's so much space, but I went with the stock setup for the weight. What motor are you using? With the GMS 1.20, it still comes out nose heavy, so I have the battery on the former at the back of the canopy. If you're using an ignition gas engine like the DLE 20, you might want to just use the stock setup for weight control.

I didn't have any problems with the pushrods. The only 2 that are the same size are the ones for the ailerons. All the tailcone rods are different lengths. Horky, but it works in the end.

Oh, and CG? Still haven't flown yet, so not sure if the factory CG is correct. I have mine balanced a tad noseheavy off the factory CG for the maiden. Will report back on how well (or tragically) things went.