thanks skater,
i few people have already tried to turn me away from flat bottom so far, and what you said makes sense so flat bottom is out of the question now. i think most ARF trainers are semi symmetrical now anyway.
speaking of solo, the first time i went solo was with my second aircraft, a golberg gentle lady on its maiden flight, but i knew i was ready.
Anyway I'll head out to the local flying field tommorow morning and have a chat to the guys there.
Dan.