Skybound: I agree with Randy. That level of experience, that long ago.........
The smart move is to go with the Avistar to work off that "pilot rust".
Also, you can use the Astar for a radio test ship. I use an oooooold Balsa USA Swizzle Stick for that purpose. Every new radio I buy gets installed in the 'Stick and puts in about 20 flights to prove itself BEFORE I put it into one of my scale planes. Ditto for repaired or serviced radios.
Once you have mastered the 'star (in both left & right hand patterns you can go for the Dragon Lady. I flew a Lady with a Tigre .90 and Pitts style muffler. It is an honest airplane, meaning that it has no bad flying characteristics and will do what you control it to do. It flies great, but it does not fly itself. I have since up engined it with an ASP 1.08. The .90 Tigre was adequate but I wanted more power for verticals. This 1.08 is an intermediary step. The final engine will be a Webra 1.20. (love that power) If you start increasing the power, make SURE you brace the tail and fin. [X(] Also I found the tail wheel assembly to be somewhat flimsy. I replaced it.
I also am a bipe person. I have zero (zip, nada, none) first hand experience with a Pitts. I have seen them at our field. They ARE responsive. Your skill level will need to be at the advanced level BEFORE you attempt an aerobatic bipe. (Pitts, Ultimate).
A bipe does not take more skill to fly that an aerobatic low wing, but it is slightly different. If you have mastered the Dragon Lady, you can try the Pitts. By mastering the design I mean you are able to fly any maneuver in a left or right hand pattern regardless of wind direction . To sharpen your reflexes you can increase the control throw amounts to increase responsiveness of the plane. Do this in small steps as it will affect the way the plane responds. By the way, seal the gaps between the ailerons and wing and the elevators and stabilizer. This will also make the plane more responsive to control input.
Well, that's about it. Welcome back. Happy landings, Tony