Hey A70, sorry for your loss. I've had some similar experience with flaps but not as disappointing as yours. A couple of 60 size warbirds and a Piper Pawnee. But they didn't have the size of flaps that you did. All good advice list here. I did learn from good fellow pilots and, of course, experience, is that you have to fly these planes down to the ground rather than letting them "float" in as with most sport planes. The weight of the plane will also have a bearing on how it affects the flight when the flaps are deployed. Like checking out the stall characteristics of your plane, deploying flaps at a good altitude is part of the wringing out a new plane. A steeper angle of attack on final will help keep air speed up and some throttle work will get you some "10" landings. Happy flying.........