Condor:
Keep using combat trim for now. You have much more other stuff to worry about for now.... combat trim vs manual isnt going to make a difference for you (yet). Basic maneuvers, speed/Energy management and timing are a lot more important.
The La is much like the Ki IMHO. A great performer, but not very easy to fly well. Sure, you can HO-n-run in the LA, even get kills and/or rank that way... but thats not what i mean. If you ever have run across guys like Shane or HARR flying the La, youll know what i mean. In the La7, even more then the Ki, throttle work is critical, also flaps. Then its a beast in a close up stallfight, that can use its superior accelleration whenever it wishes to.