I just bought the Morris "The Knife."
I know it's designed for slow, flip-flop aerobatics, hovering, etc.

I'm wondering what the Balsa Nova is designed for.
Its longer tail moment and tapered wing suggest decent
pattern movements???

Yes on decent pattern movements. Also knife edge manuevers of all kinds. Very Very forgiving plane that will never get ugly to you no matter how you abuse the controls

Good question! I'm not real sure what it was designed for, but I'd guess it was made to be a great cross between a sport machine / knife edger. I've been flying the pants off of two of em' for two years now (I bet I jinked myself now!). Granted, they certainly don't fly like a big plane, but wow, you can sure get comfortable with them. You know that kind of plane?, the ones that turn on a dime when you need it, and will track like a pattern plane (OK, a pattern trainer). For some reason, they visually present like a larger plane in the air. I really enjoy mine.

I've been wanting one of the 120 size Balsa Novas. Do you think an OS 160FX would be too much?
Later,,,basmntdweller

The OS160FX seems to be a popular engine for it but I would think it would take a bit of tail weight. I have a ST2300 in mine and it weights 10lb 10oz and took 4 ozs of tail weight (see avatar). This plane will be great on any thing from a 91 4stroke to a chevrolet 350.