Jim,
You made a comment that, "Yet at Old Rhinebeck no one seems to have a problem."
Yes, the bigger planes are easier to control than a model. Far easier. Not only because of the greater inertias and damping, but also as you suggested, the visual and kinesthetic cues available to the pilot who is actually sitting in the cockpit.
I have a friend who manages a fleet of 20 full scale original and replica WWI airplanes for a wealthy collector. All of these airplanes are regularly flown. They have very few mishaps, but they are also extremely careful to avoid operating them in unfavorable conditions. Winds, especially crosswinds, are a big no-no. They routinely cancel demonstration flights due to wind when a modeler would only call it a breeze. By contrast, during WWI the missions were flown even if there was a wind. The war must go on.
Another consideration for operating WWI full scale aircraft today is that the pilots are generally far more experienced than those of the Great War.
Dick
Last edited by otrcman; 11-15-2016 at 12:30 PM.