RE: phoenix decathlon
I sure wish I had been as insightful as you to ask these questions before I tried to fly one of those (I HAD a Seagull Decathlon OS 50sx). It was always squirelly and I was not aware of what I was doing wrong at that time. It was my first plane after my trainer and I had the same delussion that it would be a more acrobatic trainer like plane...WRONG! I honestly believe my Ultimate Bipe 40s is easier to fly than that plane was. I should get another now just so I can say it didn't get the better of me. Congrats on your maiden Ben.
PS: Mine deid after about 10-12 flights then one bad take off resulted in a tip stall that removed the nose of the plane. It was very repairable but I was so frustrated with the ground handling I was almost glad to scrap it... at that time.