My frustration lies in lack of experience. Not many other ways to put it.

I would like to learn this technique (cutting foam cores), as I think it is helpful to me for future modeling, but I am also fighting my own skills, or lack there of. I've built quite a few kits and done well, but now I am getting into the realm of cutting my own wood and weighing it. (This is important when you want to build and compete.) Quite frankly, I have no base/experience for comparason in choosing wood to build lite, but strong. There are a ton of books and reference material to look at (which I have and am using), but experience is what is going to dictate a great build. I've simply never built with foam.

I am wanting to get into pattern, but classical pattern, which at this point limits me to sportsman class or the SPA, which is just fine, since I have much to learn. But the aircraft needs to track straight, power through LARGE loops with reserve power, and be competetive. I'm a little overwhelmed, yet quite excited to get my hands dirty.

This may need to be moved to the pattern forum, but I did get answers to my questions. So, thank you everyone.