For me, the up-thrust is for hovers only. I've had several planes that constantly needed up elevator to maintain the "sweetspot",(perfectly straight up), the X100, my first 3 U-Can-Do and a Yak all needed a washer or 2 of up thrust. Its easier to hover for me if I can cut down on the control input needed to maintain it, still have to work most of the surfaces and throttle too, but less is better. It doesnt affect normal flight at all, its only 2-3 degrees at most. Trainers often have a lot of down thrust to compensate for the flat-bottom airfoil that balloons. The ultimate set-up for hovering would be hands off hovering, only one plane I've flown could do that-a foamy from Troy Built Models(discontinued I think)THE MONTY! Too bad it wasnt my plane!!!