Banggood Sky Surfer X8 Flight Review How to Launch and Land

I've flown the Banana Hobby Sky Surfer (2011), Multiplex Easy Star (2014), HK Bixler 2, AXN Clouds, and now this. IMO it's the best of the bunch in ease of flying, power, price, enjoyment. The Banana Hobby Surfer and Easy Star came with brushed motors that gave a slightly underpowered feeling. The Bixler 2 seemed clumsy compared to the AXN (faster and more nimble) but not for beginners. This Banggood model strikes a nice balance so yeah, highly recommended for beginners.
On my watt meter with a 3S lipo, the motor prop combo put out 280 watts 17 amps!
Specs:
Wingspan: 1480mm
Length: 992mm
Flying Weight: 690g
Wing Area: Approx. 24dm²
Wing Load: Approx. 28.8g/dm²
CG: On the main wing carbon fiber rod,position is 30% of the wing
Motor: XXD 2212 2450KV motor
ESC: 30A
Servo: JX Servo 9g *4
Propeller: 5050

[@seville6900]

If you fly without wheels on takeoff, fly by hand, how much throttle do you run, 100 percent or what percent?

[@theleabres]

90% on hand launch

[@seville6900]

@@theleabres ok, thanks u

[@jred23pyro]

Seen it for 67$. I never flown a plane but I am good at flying drones without fpv.. good for a first plane?

[@theleabres]

yes very good. keep it high in the beginning and just fly it nice and easy.

[@ErnestPJay]

Does it have a gyro on board?

[@theleabres]

no, no gyro on board

[@marinrealestatephotography]

How well do these glide? Can you thermal with them? The motors are SO LOUD!!! I saw someone at the airfield today with an original Multiples Easy Star and he had a 20 minute flight with only about three minutes throttle time, and he was able to glide around and catch some thermals with it.

[@theleabres]

They glide okay but it's designed to be a beginner or trainer plane. There are many models out there much more efficient at gliding. The loud part is only at full throttle but cruising 100 meters up at 35% throttle you can't hear it. I suppose when there are lots of thermals and you can catch them you can get a 20 minute flight with this plane but that's probably the best case scenario and how many times will ideal conditions happen?

[@marinrealestatephotography]

@@theleabres Thanks so much for the explanation. I really appreciate it.

[@mentuemhet]

@@marinrealestatephotography I've cached thermals with this type of plane rarely. the thermals would last abut 5 minutes.

[@roadstar499]

i guess a 5050 is a 5x5 apc prop?

[@extremeultralightaviation]

Will it land on water?

[@theleabres]

Sure if you have floats.

[@Batlaw1]

Take off AND land INTO wind!!!!!