I can't speak to the flat out personally, as I was going to get one but at the last minute decided to go with the shockflyer instead. It was relatively easy to assemble. The one problem I had was that I left it in the back seat of my pick up for a couple hours last summer & the tail feathers melted into a moon shaped droop. I tried everything to re-shape them but it did no good. The flat out is very similar to the shockflyer. I've found that all the 3mm flat wing stuff out there are too flexy for my liking. The AirfoilZ however is another ball game. It has a true airfoil wing, a built up fuse inside the foam, clet style hinges & these things fly like a big plane. Granted they cost more money but you get what you pay for. In my opinion the AirfoilZ, & Copperhead Stiffy are the best foamies available. Also once you have purchased an AirfoilZ your name goes into their list making you eligible for their monthly give away. I just won for month of May & they sent me an Edge 540 for free. Now I have their Yak & the Edge, both really nice planes. Once you fly an AirfoilZ you won't want to go back to any of the flat wing foamies!!