RE: Plane pulls to left on ground and take off only
Everybody flys like they have a two channel airplane, just using the right stick. But the rudder should be used all the time in all flight conditions with the possible exception of straight and level flight. Although you may not have noticed, when doing an inside loop, a slight amount of right rudder will improve the track of the airplane, while left rudder is required to track through an outside loop. Now that you have you thumb on that left stick, a bit of throttle management comes in handy too. Slow down the airplane and experience snap rolls and stall turns.
The rudder and ailerons are useful with crosswind takeoffs and landing. Use the rudder to maintain direction control on takeoff, but use the ailerons to hold the wing down into the wind. That way, you will look good, and you won't scare the crap out of the people on the line that are upwind of where you start your takeoff roll. Fly the airplane, don't just herd it.