Flying giant scale models is not that hard. The size in it's self should be no deterrent. The larger models fly on wings, not power and with a little practice the transition is easy to master.

Some planes, like the L-4, fly just like a trainer at reduced throttle settings but others require attention to rudder. Learning to use rudder is about like learning to taxi when you switched from 3 channel to 4 channel flying.

A large plane with a lot of built in drag such as a biplane, can make rudder usage a necessity. If you start a banking turn a little nose high, you expose a lot of side area that can really slow you down. As flying speed is reduced, your plane starts sinking on knife edge toward the ground! That is the time for the rudder to do it's thing. Just as in steering a car that loses traction and starts to slide, you turn in the direction of the slide. In our case, turn that nose toward the ground and that is done with the rudder.

Practice flying a figure 8 pattern and add in a little coordinated rudder and watch those turns get 'groovy'. Fly landing patterns by using aileron only to keep the wings level and steer the turns with rudder. While you are at it, learn to land right by using power, not elevator. Establish a long straight approach at reduced power, slight up elevator and hold! Use the power to establish your rate of descent. Cut power and flare just prior to touch down, just like the one to ones do!

A lot of full size flying techniques apply to giant scale models, Crosswind take offs need rudder and you add aileron so that the up wind wing tip will be down on lift off. Use the rudder to keep the flight path, (not the fuselage) straight. Same thing on landings. The up wind wing should be low with rudder keeping a straight flight path. As you round out for the landing rudder the plane into alignment with the runway for the touch down. Side (forward) slips use the same cross control with a wing tip low. Only the amount of control varies and some down elevator might be necessary.

Sound hard? It's not. A giant flies much slower and reacts smoother than smaller models. Size alone makes everything easier to see and therefor easier to control. Although not hard to learn, giant scale flying does take practice (like all flying). There are no instant Aces!