i fly with my rates at 70% (Dx5e low rate standard setup) trust me you will have more than enough ELE RUD and AIL for nice smooth flight. give that control rod a twist or 2 (i had to do the same) i find with the 3 bladed prop she flies nicely along at about 1/2 - 2/3 stick. as for losing her to the sky, fly her in the cloudy snow. i flew mine without the cowl in the snow and cold and there are NO issues. drop the gear and belly land her on the snow for some fun. everybody says to land her under power but i find if you bring her in to about 10 feet altitude and cut her she glides wonderfully.
i just also busted up my cowl, broke my prop, cracked my wing, and pulled my wing joint out. all because i wanted to learn to throw it myself.... haha oh well its all a really easy fix. as of now i have today and tomorrow to fly and I'm down to my pole cat. my scratch build is a failure, my 300 3d is too light for wind, and my mossie is now a hangar queen P-38-L. so I'm still happy with the pole cat, but i wish i had the bigger one to have more fun with.