Thanks Nev,
Yes Garfly, in our GA training we were trained to know in-advance power/trim settings that you know will get you close to a level pitch attitude and the best glide etc. We were supposed to be able to revert to those on instinct. The big problem with VFR pilots in VMC is their hands on the yoke and over controlling in the panic of the moment. If the aircraft is trimmed, it will fly relatively stable with small rudder inputs because it is dynamically stable in that configuration.
I guess with our RAA aircraft we have a range of instruments from rag & Tube with just an ASI to glass panels more sophisticated that the old GA ACs. Give me steam gauges any day, I still like the fancy stuff but I want the steam backup. The AHI & T&B are ideal minimum instruments even for an open cockpit Rag & Tube; they may save your life one day.