I have never had my hands on an Ultimate, but seen many fly. The Skybolt flys nothing like the Ultimate. The Skybolt flys like a pattern ship. Sleek, clean, and fast with a Magnum 120. Very precise maneuvers, crisp and clean aerobatics, and did I mention fast? It takes a while to slow down on landing, and lands fairly slowly once you get a handle on the low speed carachteristics. I flew mine in a 20 MPH crosswind this weekend, and would not hesitate to do so again. You will not be disappointed. Mine flies at half throttle most of the time.