Old thread resurrected, but it is interesting to see the decision made after 14 years
I fly mode 1 since day 1,and fly Pylon, Helicopter, Pattern. I am learning 3D lazily.
I think each mode has its benefits on certain maneuvers especially in helicopter and pattern. However there are extremely good pilots on either modes and at the end of the day, isn't it comes to practice and lots of dollars on extreme maneuvers

Locally I noticed that mode 1 flier has lees trouble learning takeoff on a tail dragger