Here is some tuning advice take it for what you will, it has helped me tune my engine and I am still learning as well. When you think you have the engine tuned up nicely pinch the gas line for sec or two. If the engine revs up then you need to lean it out a little. Do this until the engine dies when you pinch it. Then turn the gas to the rich side a slight bit. When I first flew I thought I had the engine tuned but I wasn't getting enough power to take off. I did the gas pinch test and within a minute or two I was in the air. Also I don't want to discourage an instructor but I did my first flight without an instructor and it lasted for about 60 seconds with a mildly rough landing. My second flight lasted about 4 seconds due to my own anxiousness. After the second flight I had to do some minor repairs for small cracks in the rear part of the frame. I did try an instructor but the guy just screwed my engine up so bad it took me forever to get it tuned back in. After my second short flight I think I might try an instructor again. By the way my first solo was yesterday and my second flight and minor mishap was also yesterday, so fresh experience talking.