Great information and suggestions. Yeah, this Habu I'm working on will be a bit on the heavier side compared to the completely stock setup. I'm setting it up for 8S and I've also given it a custom paint job and added retracts. These things add a bit of weight to it. On the fuse I sanded the factory paint down to basically the silver primer coat. The factory Habu has a clear coat so I sanded through that and the paint. The only thing I'm painting on the wings and horizontal stabs is the red portions on the top sides. My paint job may probably be just a hair heavier than the stock. I'm used to flying a little on the heavy side of things anyways since I've been flying a SIG Kougar on the heavy side since running a much larger engine than factory specs and since I built this myself, I did add some additional materials to critical areas So my Habu's going to be a little bit heavier then the stock unit. So as you mentioned, It will be a terrific platform for me in regards to getting some hands-on with energy management along with the stalling and landing experience. Another thing this Habu will give me is experience with airflow over the airframe. The typical nitro planes I've been flying has a prop which sends air over the wings without ground speed. The Habu, like a turbine, has to gain ground speed/airspeed before airflow is sent over the wings. This will give me experience with greater takeoff rolls.

And I understand about the small foamie thing you mention. I also have what I call a "guilty pleasure" but mine is in the form of the Parkzone Stryker. I love the nose dives from high alt and then flying by a few feet off the ground at full throttle. Main attraction for me is the speed of it. Much faster than I had anticipated it would be. Fun stuff and I don't mind taking unnecessary risks with it. The Habu will be a different story in that aspect however.