I don't know about the building, other than I'm sure you could lighten up a bit if you know what you're doing.
As far as flying, I've flown the prototype at Top Gun 2001/2 and Joe-Nall 2001 and having flown all other slEdge's on the market, this will hold it's own with any of them. It does all the 3D flying you can ask of it, and sometimes more. The one I flew was 38lbs with a DA-150 and Futaba radio gear, and built stock.