You "must" let the tail up and the plane fly on the wing before lifting it off. I flew mine four times, and each take off was gradual and scale like. Force it off the ground prematurely, and you will be asking for trouble. Mine is close to 12 lbs. with a YS 110FZ in the nose, and the engine provides the plane with almost unlimited vertical. Definitely more than enough power. YS 110 rocks!