I just came across this thread, and I would like to add my 2cents.

My first plane was an Ultra stick 60 from H9. At first I was flying from paved school lots as well as grass fields and the outcome was always the same...a broken prop. I addded a Fults nose gear a great investment) and the all was fine. It was even more helpfull in keeping the nose out of the snow. I have since removed the trike set up. I crashed pretty good a couple of weeks because I had reversed the servo arm on my rudder. The rudder input was correct, but the no reverseable gyro was giving opposite info and after she lifted off, the plane plowed right into the soil. Prior to this incident the gyro helped me tremendusly. It helped me to fly on days I maybe would not have due to cross winds. It is also helped to concentrate on keeping the wings level and the gyro took care of staying on the approachwhile learning. This is a great first plane in my opinion. It will glide forever and is very manuverable after you get into arobatics.