I had a big stick for a second plane and tihnk the UCD is comparable, but simpler. It doesn't misbehave when the rates are turned up. Doesn't mean you should start with them turned up. It is just plain simple IMO. I had a GP Tracer for a third plane, by way of comparison. I would say that requires an intermediate step. But not the UCD. Personally, I've never seen anything land as gently and slowly as my UCD 46 does. It practically floats. I had the thing dead stick with the nose pointed straight up, only about 20-30 feet off the ground. It just flopped over and glided down. No big deal.