Yeeeeeay, I can fly !!!! ……… for a while..... parts list at the bottom :
I've managed to stay up for 3 consecutive 20min filghts without crashing (<5km wind) then got cocky and took it out in 10km gusty and crashed a couple of times. Have loads of questions :
Power
Before I start I should say I'm pootleing around at 1/3-1/2 throttle at the moment...
Bangood left out a load of stuff including the prop so I initially got a 5050 bullnose (yellow one in photo) when I bought the battery and charger and that got me off the ground but then I read how inefficient they were. I bought 4 new sets :
QUANUM CARBON FIBER PROPELLER 6X4.5 (CW/CCW) (2PCS)
CARBON FIBER PROPELLERS 6040 (CW/CCW) (1PAIR)
GEMFAN COMPOSITE PROPELLER 6 X 4 GREY (CCW) (2PCS)
CARBON FIBER PROPELLERS 6040 SELF TIGHTENING (CW/CCW) (1PAIR)
only to find that I would have to reverse the motor to use the last set. The 6" Quanum ones clear the tail boom by about 1.5mm and there are marks in the boom (mud flying off from an upside down landing ?) The ESC was VERY hot at the end of the last flight. Is this likely to be the result of using too large a prop ? I couldn't find any regular 5050 props in the UK on the hobby king site. Would I be better off using the 6040 props than the 6x4.5 for the time being if I need to source another 5050 prop ? Or should I go back to the bullnose.

The motor is angled to the left (looking from the front of the plane) Does this mean I shouldn't reverse the motor and fit an anticlockwise prop ?

Can I and should I calibrate the unbranded ESC ?

I've been flying for about 20mins at the end of which, I get a cell voltage of 3.75V Is this what I should be aiming for ? I've ordered the Taranis battery telemetry module and want to set up alarms based of battery voltage rather than using flight time but I'm not sure how meaningful this is.

Should I recharge the batteries when I get in from the flight (less bother) or wait until just before ? They can sit around for a few days if the weather sucks.

I need a way to get the battery in and out fast - I tried Velcro but it's too difficult to position properly (I'm still fiddling with the CofG) and the loop shown in the photo doesn't hold it strait. What's the standard solution for this ?

General
So I had a few crashes and these immediately snapped the carbon wing rod I got (to replace the one that didn't turn up with the plane). I was unable to source another carbon rod in a hurry so got an aluminium one which works fine and bends when crashing (and can be straitened). Other than the weight issues, are there any reasons for not sticking with this for the time being ? Can carbon rods be bought cheaper in bulk ? I noticed the fibre in these rods is strait not helical and that there are helical ones available, what are the advantages/disadvantages of the different types. Pretty sure the rods fitted in the wings are strait and have split. Does this matter ? Can they be replaced ? Think they're 8mm.

Been going out in the morning, and getting loads of insect bites on the legs - solved by wearing long trousers but anyone got any other suggestions ?

The receiver aerials are really fragile, The ones I see in other peoples photos seem to have plastic cases on them. Any advice on protecting the/mounting them ? I'll want to use the receiver on other models.

Can anyone advise of the 'perfect' colour scheme to assist in determining orientation when flying - purely utilitarian, doesn't have to look cooool.

Any suggestions on the layout of components in the equipment bay would be helpful. (IGNORE - FORUM WONT LET ME POST PHOTOS YET)

Is the plane pictured just a knock off of the bixler 2 ? Can I use the available information on the bixler 2 and apply it to this plane ?

Weather
I've been out flying in the rain and got away with it, no fluid seemed to enter the equipment bay though a lot of rain landed on the transmitter. Is the QX7 waterproof, what steps should I take to protect it when flying in the rain ?

There's often a lot of dew that the model picks up. I then have to give a lot of elevator for quite a while to keep it up. Is this likely to be because of water on the bottom of the model ?

I'm flying pretty slow at the moment and I went out on a windy day and the plane was tossed all over the place. Can this be dealt with by flying faster ? Obviously as a noob I'm being timid to reduce the time and expense of potential repairs but want to gauge the value of this timidity. Should I wait for more skill to develop and focus on flying at speed or keep doing my figure of eights ?

Flying
I've set up three rates on the radio and some rudder mix. I'm not using the throttle or rudder at all at the moment. I'm practicing figure 8's trying to get progressively tighter turns and getting the aircraft to go where I want. Mostly at lower altitudes. Should I be using the rudder for lift in tight turns ? Should I be more ambitious with the throttle, the plane seems more controllable at higher speeds ?

Equipment list
Taranis Q X7, X8R
Battery 2200mAh,3S,Turnigy
SkySurfer X8 from bangood (not XUAV)
Motor: XXD 2212 2450KV motor
ESC: 30A
Servo: JX Servo 9g *4
Propeller: supposed to be 5050 but 6x4 fitted
Material: EPO
Wingspan: 1480mm,Length: 992mm,Flying Weight: 690g,Wing Area: Approx. 24dm˛,Wing Load: Approx. 28.8g/dm˛
CG: On the main wing carbon fiber rod,position is 30% of the wing