The big differences between a Stick vs. a trainer are in crosswinds and in gusts. A stick doesn't try to roll with the wind in crosswind. It only weathervanes a little bit (nose turning into the wind because of pressure on the tail). And headwind gusts will generally lift the nose of trainers, whereas Sticks barely react at all. I didn't realize just how good Sticks are in the wind until about two months ago I was out flying mine in about 20 mph wind and then moved to a new Piper Cub I had. The Cub was all over the place in turbulent air to the point I thought I had to take 4 go arounds to land it, but the Stick just went up and did whatever I told it to do. If you have basic control down and can turn without getting upside down, then you're a good enough pilot to handle a Stick on low rates.