RE: Where should the engine cutoff?
Chris, TAKE YOUR TIME, control surface set up is too important to just get "close enough"and try to fly. If you have anyone around with any R/C experience it would help, if no one is avaiable just ask lot's of question's here on RCU. with your idle you want it slow enough that the plane will not roll when released, and fast enough that it won't die, just take your time you'll get it.
John