I can say that SPADS are anything but "erratic", but what I have learned in this hobby is everybody is an expert As with any plane, it depends on if you take your time and build a straight, unwarped wing and fuse. I'm not a SPAD zelot...I will fly anything I can get my hands on, but I have a strong shade tree mechanic streak in me, so I find SPADS fun. For the last 2 years I've been doing 90% SPADs, but for the last year I've been building them mostly from foam board from the local art/craft store. They look like ARF's when I'm done.

My low wing SpadStick flies on rails and will fly hands-off. It's everybit as good of a sport plans as the others in my club in Omaha. You can see pics of it on my website

[link=http://rcsites.net/qcoldir/]http://rcsites.net/qcoldir/[/link]

Good luck, but mostly just start building something, find an instructor and have some fun!!!