RE: Pitch vs Vertical Perfomance & Downline Braking.
Well, this weekend, I failed badly because I did too many things at once.
My biggest downfall was going to a tx-tray. I felt very awkward, and spent the flight worrying about the tray breaking, or the radio slipping out, or some other nonsense, and just couldn't get in the groove, and had a less than neat landing. I don't think I'm cut out for trays.
That said the 17x13 gave me a bit more speed, uplines were fairly good (considering the aircraft is long, low and light!) and the braking felt a little better, that said I attibute this more to the lower prop speed I was getting at idle.
I think the pipe's a bit long too.
If I can find an 18x10 I'll give it a go.