Thanks to all the folks who have replied. Your input is much appreciated.

A couple of further questions.....

1. The C of G placement is on the forward side of the maximum range for both the Giles and the Extra 300. Does that impact the stability during a hover?

2. A previous poster mentioned that control throw must be "commanding". I interpret that to mean large control throws are a must. How large should the control throws be?

3. When I've watched video's of guys hovering their control movements don't really seem very large at all. Are the large surface deflections only needed to enter the hover? Once in the hover are the control surface deflections smaller than in the entry process?

4. When I attempt to hover (at a safe altitude) I simply slow the aircraft down... as I get closer to the stall I start adding power and slowly try increasing the aircraft pitch attitude. At that point I either wind up in a stall (one wing normally goes before the other), or I simply wind up climbing at a very steep deck angle. Additionally it seems that the aircraft rudder becomes very sensitive to inputs at nearly vertical angles of attack. Am I approaching the attempt to hover with the aircraft in the correct manner?

Cheers,

Thanks to all for replying

Marcus.