It's been a while since I posted the original question. In the intervening months, I've been more busy buying an airplane than flying one. So I find myself near the end of the contest season, still without an acro mount (my S-1S should be in my hands on November 9th, weather-permitting!).I've decided to just go and fly the Primary sequence at the Farmville contest this weekend (10/26-27), rather than wait until next year to enter my first contest. I think I've flown the sequence all of about five times- just enough to avoid total embarrassment in front of the judges! I will fly the S-2B I've been getting dual in, with my instructor in back as safety pilot.
Yesterday was the first time I've gotten any critiquing from the ground. According to that person, there are improvements to be had with all the figures, as expected. But he also gave me some hope for flying Sportsman next year.
Tom P.