If you have the flaps set correctly, you should not experience any super drastic change it flight characteristics. I ahve flaperons not acutal flaps on my planes. I usually deploy mine on the down wind leg before the final turn. You dont want to find out that something isn't right on the final approach. I take off with flaps down as well. As far as landing speed, alot depends on type of plane, stall speed and CG of the plane. What works for me is, once I taxi out to the runway I adjust the throttle trim just below allowing movement of the aircraft. This still allows me to fly slowly, but keeps the speed up a tad on landings, and prevents the engine from over loading with fuel if I happen to cruise at idle for any extended period of time. If I remember correctly your plane likes to be landed hot (with a little speed)