The Goldberg Eagle is a great first trainer, and I too commend you for being willing to start with a kit build instead of an ARF. As to the wheel pants, John covered it well. I would add that if you are flying from a grass runway the pants add drag against the grass and even in short cut grass ( making takeoffs longer and more difficult). They can also fill up with grass clippings and jam the wheel rotation. For your learning plane don't add potential trouble. Save the wheel pants for a later plane. Speaking of grass runways, If you are going to fly off grass I would agree with jester_s1 and go with a little power upgrade, TT.46 pro or OS 46ax are good ones. The grass drag on takeoff deal again! I have seen a 40 size trainer with a 40LA unable to get enough airspeed for takeoff in poorly cut grass. The airplane couldn't be flown that day, A 46 ax in that plane would have had enough poop to cut thru the grass and get flying speed. If you are going to only use a paved runway the TT 42 GP will fly the Eagle fine once in the air and have sufficient power for tale off. Follow all the regular "join a club", "get an instructor" etc advice and you will do fine and your Eagle will survive your training period. Good luck and enjoy.