Hello all

Norfolk.. I have the Pheonix Decathlon. I don't find it any more problematic on takeoffs or landings than my other taildraggers. I've been flying taildraggers for 26 or so years now, so my experience with this model probably reflect that. Nothing was as bad to takeoff than an old scratch built pitts that I had years back from 'scratch-a-plane' plans . I don't have many planes that I can compare it to. I would say it flys like a clipped wing cub. A much more docile version of my Extra 300 kit from Goldberg, but NOT a precise aerobatic ship. There is a lot of roll coupling in knife edge, but I think that's to be expected with a high wing plane. It's a very relaxing plane for me to fly, and is a bundle of joy. Kinda like an Eaglet 50 on steroids that can fly inverted well too

mrbigg.... I think if I remember correctly (I'm @ work so can't look right now) but the hinges are pinned style hinges..sorta like DuBro hinges, with a metal pin going through the TE of the wing and LE of the aileron to pin them into the structure as well. Very nice.

MJD... Hard to say what time will do to the trim. Bare in mind mine has only about 20 flights on it mainly because of the tired faulty engine I have in there. Swapping that out soon though Anyway, the stars look like they're cut out of contact paper, so I doubt they'll last a long time. I bought a star template from Top Flite and will cut some stars out of oracover. The stripes are oracover (or whatever they use). I'd take the time to go over all the seams with an iron just to be safe. The covering shrinks nicely... not like chinakote stuff. The top of the plane does stay pretty clean though. I think I used thinned epoxy and 'painted' it in that exhaust channel just to be safe.
Here's the color scheme I'm going after with pinstriping and adding a few touches

[link=http://www.airliners.net/photo/Untitled/American-Champion-8KCAB-180/1187469&photo_nr=1&prev_id=&next_id=1122050]G-EZPZ Decathlon[/link]

I don't care for the aluminum wing struts though... the totally round shape just doesn't look right... plus it's rolled metal, so there is a seem on them and bend easily. Think I'll build some out of K&S Streamlined tubing, dowel, and threaded rod this summer. My only other pet peeve is that the top of the canopy sticks up about 1/8" above the wing. Other than that, a pretty great plane, especially for $119!!!!!