The Dragon Lady makes a very acceptable plane for Sportsman or Intermediate just reduce the diheidrel to about 3/8" total and add about 1" to the rudder. A 61 size engine would be a little small for the weight, a 120 2 or 4 cycle work very well. In 1996 a friend won several contests in Masters class flying against pattern fliers that flew at the nats that year flying a Dragon Lady. For a 60 size engine a Great Planes Super Sportster, modified the same as the Dragon Lady, is hard to beat, a very smooth and accurate sport plane. By the way, tricycle gear can be a real benifit for your first pattern bird. It will help your take off and landing scores.