When you capture science data of a value, say, 140 using the nose cone, and then Recover your vessel, you only get 14 Science. If it says 100, yields 10. In other words the nose cone science values appear to be off by a factor of 10. Confirmed bug?
I have built small planes and large planes. Small rockets and large rockets. In all cases, the new SAS does still have the frozen (I assume you mean heading-holding) aspect. The new system requires less dexterity, as you no longer need to toggle F when changing heading.