Hey Greg,

Great thread you have here. Hate to be one of those barge-in-and-want-an-answer kinda guys... But I am trying to buy a XMas gift and time is short. I have been looking for a bird like this for my Father-in-law. This is probably perfect, but a bit bigger than I had in mind. We have some gear I was trying to match to a new bird for him.

The stuff on his Hirobo Extra (a boat anchor and way too advanced for him) is the AXI 2808/24, Phoenix 35, 3S HD 2100 mAH 12C. I know it sound a little light to me, but this setup will turn out nearly 300 watts with a 10x5E. I measure well over 40 ozs thrust once on it. That's pushing it a bit, but I run the same setup on my Mini Funtana and it barely gets warm, even after vigorous 3D flights.

He won't be aerobatic at all... just big circles and maybe a loop now and then (when he gets up the guts). He needs a plane he can "see in the air" (read 40 size for poor eyesight) and flies with stable forgiveness. So, whattya think? Will it get off the ground with reasonable authority? I can't seem to find anything that gives a "wattage" or thrust benchmark for the stock 680 motor. I'm looking at the ARF, not the RTF.

Thanks in advance. Need to order SOON. Your help is appreciated.