It is a great flyer. I like mine fine. I have a Zenoah G26 on my Stearman. But, looking back I wouldnt have tried to fly it until I could fly something that didnt float in when I was landing. Mine has to have a little rudder while flying. More so than other models do. If you get the low wing planes takeoff's and landings down pat without a glitch, then I would say you were ready for a bipe. Your friends are right in saying they fly good but when all you have flown are trainers, it would be a heafty task. I would think. I can compare it to this in a way. I am a sharpshooter. I shoot a .308 sniper rifle, when my wife wants to shoot with me, I dont dare set her up with it (308). I would start her out with a .22 rimfire so's that she would get the handle of things. Then go maybee to a .223 centerfire for a while to get her to be accurate and get used to a little recoil. Then when and only when she thought she was ready for a large bore let her loose on the .308. And when she does she will have all the basics in her head on how and what to do when shooting. Stance, hold and breathing just to name a few. You have to crawl before you walk and walk before you run. You may do as you wish. This is just my experiance. I hope I have been some help to you.