RE: ember 2 first flights.
The Ember 2 is a fantastic little plane - probably the best value for an RTF micro there is. I've had mine for about a year now. I've had 20 min thermal flights with 1 to 1-1/2 min power on to catch the thermal and rest gliding. I limit it to 20 min due to the small battery, and have had it as high enough it looked like it had a 1" wing span.
Indoors is where it shines. Less than 1/2 throttle with the controls set at 50% is the most relaxing powered plane I've flown. Easy touch-n-go's and in a larger venue you can fly it using only a click or rudder trim gentle figure 8's and ovals all about 10' off the ground. Remove the landing gear and move the battery as far aft as possible and it flies even better.
And it's a blast to shoot touch-n-go's off a small table. The list of fun things to do with it is almost endless. The only thing it doesn't care for is wind thanks to it's 1 ounce weight.
I highly recommend getting one - you won't be sorry.
Hogflyer