ORIGINAL: SigKavalier
Jets are definitely something to look forward to for me so I just plan to keep honing my skills untill that day. Also from all my reading, asking, etc. DF is probably a good idea becaus it is totally different than a prop plane (I fly EDF's). Plus you can get DF gear extra cheap now since the arrival of turbines.
Any jet-styled pusher will fly with similar characteristics, it doesn't have to be a DF.
Also it seems DF opinions are mixed some have no problems, and some have nothing but problems. I think that is just like with prop planes when two guys with the same engines one cannot keep his running, and the other cannot remember the last time he had to tune his.
You have basically hit the nail on the head, there is a great deal of inconsitency in performance and tuning expertise amongst folk that fly (or attempt to fly) IC powered DF models. As a contrast there is one common denominator amongst gas turbines - they work to their full potential with very little effort required, no matter how long you leave them standing, and they're not too fussy about the fuel you put through them so long as its clean.
Also from what I've read, seen, and been told 12lb turbines just aren't the way to go. After looking around at "future" potential jets I might want to do I also quickly found out that a small turbine would not suite my needs.
I STRONGLY disagree. Low thrust does not mean low performance. Smaller turbines are lighter which for the complete jet novice has many benefits. Lighter wing loadings give much more forgiving flight characteristics and have much less residual thrust which assists with much slower landings. It could also be argued that smaller turbines have less inertia to overcome during spool-up and provide slighter better response when going from idle to full power - very useful for those aborted landings where you suddenly need to go around again.
You need to take into account precisely were you are intending to operate a gas turbine model as you might not be able to fly anything but a small turbine due to weight restrictions. We don't all have endless access to tarmac strips at a moments notice. Again, lighter aircraft will generally be easier to operate from grass or where available space might be an issue.
Anyway thats just my 0.02 cents as I am not a turbine guy.
My 0.02 cents as whilst I am full-blooded jet novice, I do actually fly one.
Phil