You've already resolved this, but here's a couple more observations.

Sacle ANY size will be a step from the Avistar (which is a fine trainer). Not impossible, but something to be approached cautiously. Remember, scale landing gear won't survive much abuse. Landings that trainers shake off, or bounce away from, will shear away scale gear or drive it into the fuselage.

1/4 scale is no more difficult to fly, and actually are less effected by the same winds and easier to see. BUT, if you take a dirt knap you're out 4X the $ (servos more expensive, engine more expensive, airframe more expensive . . . only the receiver is in the same price range as the .40 and .60 size planes.

Something like a Sig 4*120 may be a great step towards 1/4 scale if you have a need for a big plane. It's still IMAA legal and a good second plane, too.