Why go smaller? Great Hobbies lists the .60-size Great Planes Big Stik at $169.99. You can fly it with a Super Tigre G-61 ringed engine ($104.99) or a Thunder Tiger GP-61 engine ($119.99) and a standard flight pack.

The Big Stik .60 will slow down and land as easily as any trainer, but is far more aerobatic. It's also affordable enough that you can buy the .60-size without blowing your budget. The Hangar 9 Super Stick .60, H9 Ultra Stik .60, or the Global Hobby Joss Stick .60 ARF would also be good choices.

Any of these airframes can perform aerobatic manuevers like Cuban Eights, Split S turns, Immelmann turns, Wing Over turns, and the like with ease.

Good luck and good shopping!