I never cared for those things much, but yes, the 52 should fly it.
(On an 11x6, 11x7, or 12x5 prop, probably.)

Have him go over some of the other things... I was being facetious with a couple,
but most are things which could be keeping him on the ground.

Has the plane ever flown before? With what engine, and how did it fly then?

Special attention to the way the plane sits on its gear, and how tight the wheels are.
If flying off grass, the wheels may seriously be too small, too.
(Too much drag on the wheels, so it never gets to flying speed)

I have an Advance 40 that will barely pull itself into the air, with its current wheels, if
I try it from the grass. It flys just fine from our paved runway, though.