Your experience is about the same as mine. I built mine with the tail wheel that just rotates. TRY THAT! I thought it was a top the first time I tried to take off. Me and the Rvator laughed till we cried at the thing spinning in circles. I learned fast to just get it pointed down the runway and nail it. It lifts off so fast it doesn't really matter. I cut the throttle way back as soon as it's airborn. We have our own field and it's about 400ft long and 60ft wide. My second landing was across the field. I was a nervous wreck. I've had two nasty crashes but only had to replace one wing and one engine mount. I'm ready to go again, as you can see by my avatar. Just waitn' for warmer weather, I've three ready to fly!