yup take off all the extras and set the flaps all the way up. It is faster than any other trainer and it is less freindly to repair, a lot less.
Do to your previous RC experince I can understand not wanting a conventional trainer. As an instructer I would say get one any way and master it well then move on. A Sig LT Fourty or Goldberg Eagle and and only use 1/2 the recomended dihedral. If you do the Goldberg Eagle leave the side window knockouts in and build up the windscreen with balsa and micro baloons then just use your plastic windows as monokote patterns for the window look, much more durable and looks as good as any other trainer. I would recomend a 2 cycle 45 such as the OS 45 AX or TT Pro 45 (46?) these planes were designed for this power to weight ratio. Good Luck![8D]