Greg,
Let me start by telling how much I've been enjoying your reviews and how much my son (7) has been enjoying your VIDEOS (G).

I agree completely that having doggest determination is a key factor, along with the actual ability to build and repair. I recall blowing a wing panel on one glider, running how, rebuilding the panel and was back to flying within 45 minutes.

I also found, that if the conditions allowed, I tend to fly in a "T". the pilot being the base (long leg) of the "T" and the flight path the top of the letter. This fairly simple race track approach prevented L/R disorientation until I'd calibrated the fine movement control on my thumbs and had learned enough not to think the airplane was a plow!