RE: TAKING OFF WITH FLAPS
Just to elaborate a little on the last post. With (full scale) lightplanes that have flaps, standard practice is not to use them for takeoff unless you need to because your runway is too short for a safe takeoff without them. No point in creating extra drag unless you have to. But most of our models, especially sport models, are so greatly overpowered that a little extra drag won't hurt. Do what's fun.