I have used both electric and gas for flat-landing. I also use one of these collapsable-chairs-in-a-bag. I enjoy my 3 meter glider with an os 10 mounted on the pod. That lil engine looks
hilarious mounted on that big plane. I then sit in my chair right on the flight line and watch her fly until the engine dies. I have no problems finding rising air over the woods near the flying field. I also like to soar with the buzzards. I use the chair because my neck gets stiff after an hour of flying.
Sounds like you will be plenty busy with the pole barn and two cubs in the works. I have to build a pier this week so I can get my boat in so that I can try out a Sea Dancer I bought off a guy. It's good to have goals. My wife thinks I want to build the pier for her, but I just need a place to stand to fly my floatplanes. Nice to see some dialogue here back in this thread.
Engine choice, I would go for the biggest one. I have no problems and I think it is because I over powered it with the GMS 76. I can't imagine a smaller engine pulling this horse around. I need to program my radio to couple in some rudder. With a slight breeze, it just banked and did not turn.