rjm-

How about a Cub? If you built it with a clipped wing, it would have decent aerobatic capability. I built a Great Planes .60 Cub, which I fly with a Saito .91 (great motor!). I built the full wing version, which doesn't roll very fast, but flies inverted just fine. It was my first kit and second plane. It is a good kit with great instructions. It is relatively scale, but not not so scale that it is challenging to build.

I don't know that I would say a Decathlon "floats the landings." I have not flown one, so I can't offer an informed opinion, but my understanding is that they have a marked tendency to tip stall and need to be landed with some speed.

-Scott