Looking at my first long bow purchase and wondering if the flat bow is much different in terms of handling then the traditional long bow?

I am guessing you mean R/D Longbow and Flatbow? if that is what you mean then yes there is a huge difference.

Do you mean Flat bow as in American Indian & Traditional long bow as in ELB? Or what Broken arrow 1 said?

BROKERN ARROW, I DO MEAN A REFLEX/DEFLEX. WHAT ARE THE ADVANTAGES OF ONE OVER THE OTHER?

R/D may give you a bit more perfomance,a regular longbow would have narrower libs and might be a bit longer in most cases. I have both and both have thier place. I do like the "D" shaped profile of a regular longbow. I'd get both and try them then decide..LOL!!!! Both bows can be made silent.