Steve,

If you want to fly your 40 sized plane in sportsman, go for it. There is no need to be intimidated. I entered my first pattern contest with an Intruder 90. I had the most crappy plane at the contest, and this being my first contest, I was a little nervous. All the guys in the sportsman class had the latest and greatest 2M ships. I ended up in fourth place and I even won a round.

The point is, and it has been said before, practice wins contests, not the plane (At least in sportsman). I learned alot at the contest, and had a whole lot of fun. I have been flying 3 times a week since the contest, and can't wait until I can go to the next one.

If you want a large airplane at a reasonable price, check around you can get a good used plane cheap if you are patient. People have things for sale at the contests too.

Good Luck
Greg