I'll cast a vote for the .60 size Ultra stick.
I have the .40, with a K&B .60, and it's cool, but...
The .60 is bigger, easier to see, and fly...
I'd probably put a new series Magnum .90 in it...

With 10, 20 degrees of flaps...it would probably out-float anything, but perhaps a Kadet Sr.
It'll fly around all day at half throttle....punch it....and you got all the verticle, and monster loops you could ask for...

You got all the flaps. and air-brakes, and "crow", and mixes to play with....you can get more fun/exp., out of this one than most guy's could get of thier first six regular planes.