Hi _Chuck_
I wish you good luck. A trainer SPAD is an excellent choice. It is true that SPADS frequently are a little heavier than balsa planes, but they are so much tougher. After 36 years in this hobby I only have SPADS now. I don't even notice how ugly some of them have been. The fact that they can cartwheel on a poor landing with little or no damage kind of makes up for their "unique" look.